The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers and the Theft of Africa's Wealth

[@bahreh.7807]

"The Looting Machine" is golden book but not enough. I suggest a new book: "The Death Machine: African War Business "

[@ErnestOfGaia]

Though there are many well intentioned folks n the IMF and world Bank it's systemic capitalist corporate structure, influenced mainly by the US, my imperialist country, are too blame. That is why many of us in the US are coming together, learning how to organize, learning how to strategize, and beginning to slowly take back out rights that have been suppressed by corporations and their lobbyists. We are learning from the folks in Africa who are sharing their lessons learned and their experience. We stand in #solidarity with African workers and the migrant workers trapped in Africa. Corporations are not persons #thataintright change is slow but our solidarity is strong #populism2015 we know change is possible because others have done it before us. Any thing is possible because we believe in the human capacity for love, wisdom and cooperation.

[@rizwantahir7116]

It's a tough fight bro, the system has become a machine, us people all over the globe are slaves to them, making daily bread has been made a tedious slavery excercise for mere morsels. Even if you leave the corporate culture you still struggle being a small independent fly or ant

[@augustday6]

Poverty in this case is a indicator of predatory practices of fellow humans indicative of serious lack of empathy. Humanity is the apex predator of this planet and as end game capitalistic pandering closes in on failure you will see much worse.

[@rustamsuchoy6068]

Благодарим Тома за отличную работу.Такие книги нужны миру.

[@ErnestOfGaia]

This is also why we are fighting to #stoptpp the same corporations that are looting wealth illegally in India China Africa are about to be able to do it legally if the TPP is passed in the US. I am actually impressed CSIS for you having this event. Usually I watch your channel so that I can keep track of the oppressors and polluters (,the fighting elephants) but with this video you truly showed some of the divisions within the capitalist class. Thanks for this book event. #donttpponme

[@jnthenge]

How does this only have 11k views

[@bigtridentguy]

China is a shrewd business partner that Africa seems to be on the losing end. China receives 26% of their imported oil from Nigeria and in return Nigeria gets cheaply made Chinese textiles. China is also building inroads by financing large public works programs, promises to bring jobs and receives preferential mineral extraction contracts. The hoodwink is while jobs are created, the low paying jobs go to locals while the high paying ones go to the Chinese.

[@anderslarsen4912]

Same model in Southamerica. Particularly Venezuela

[@Taylordessalines]

Lol and whst has europe and the US done? Even worse. China has yet to assassinate anyone or plant dozens of military bases like the Nato empire. I agree China needs to be watched.

[@Gemini3K]

China is doing more for Africa than Europe ever did. Europe doesn't deliver on it's end of the deals. Ever. China does.

[@matthewjackson9615]

We tend to use knowledge as therapy. ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb I’ve lived long enough now to understand how these lecture series work , especially in academic circles. The presenter exposes the ugly truths of the world (that have always existed) not so much to make people aware of these realities but to soothe the ennui of the public. People feel better when problems and issues are discussed (even though these problems are insoluble) and thus knowledge is used as therapy as Taleb suggests in his quote above. The only problem is that this doesn’t work for me. What the hell is the use of talking about problems if you can’t fix them? This following words are inscribed upon Marx’s grave and I couldn’t agree more with this statement: "The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." This is one of the reasons why I just loathe academics , they just talks about problems and never offer viable solutions. Hell , I already know that the world is FUBARED , I don't need academics to constantly remind me of this fact, I want solutions.

[@erodiadecuri]

knowing that the world is bad without actually know what the real problems are, can be very dangerous. I think it's one of the main reason why people during history keep fighting the wrong battles, mainly against other "victims" like migrants in this particular time. You see that the world is wrong, and you think that the cause is something obvious right in front of your eyes, but is usually not so simple. Is important to analyze economy, politics and history to understand where the problems come from. I agree that more action is required, but academics and concrete action are not mutually exclusive, I actually think that the more we spread knowledge the more we'll see action in the future.

[@UtopiaTimes]

May be the more the academics talk the more you yourself can figure out solutions. or is there a commandment that decrees remedies must come from others other than yourself?

[@scottmcloughlin4371]

Ghana's president announced they will no longer export cacao to Switzerland but process it in Ghana now. Value added industrial development changes thing. That's not a mystery. Europeans will regret the 19th c. for centuries to come. Americans will regret late 20th c. deindustrialization.

[@mtn1793]

Where is our science of action and change! It will be too late for human “civilization” by the time we find it.

[@peggyrivera3964]

But having knowledge makes people aware of things average people do not realize. Knowing what is happening gives power to the people. Some may find ways to reclaim power like boycott and putting pressure on big corporations.

[@davisoneill]

And the US and French warlords and oligarchs are the worst offenders.

[@ErnestOfGaia]

Indeed and let's not forget the IMF and world bank

[@renwat8314]

Who are you and how much do you know? I am researching and want truthful facts. Thank you, Ren

[@johnezzard680]

China: Hold my beer

[@ndolisabi4070]

states should enact laws that criminalise these practices so that these looters can be criminally prosecuted and sentenced

[@guulwade21]

Change can only happen if the local African’s are given the knowledge of what is happening. Local news papers must target the companies which are responsible for the mining activities and allow the locals to take action. Poverty is a symptom of ignorance.

[@augustday6]

Poverty in this case is a indicator of predatory practices of fellow humans indicative of serious lack of empathy. Humanity is the apex predator of this planet and as end game capitalistic pandering closes in on failure you will see much worse.

[@Gemini3K]

They know....but they are too near sighted to do anything about it.

[@thomasnyimbili2132]

The writer wrote *Katumba but it is *Katumbi* Great book though

[@jimmybayfal8435]

Resources cursed is a wrong word because A resource is a source or supply from which a benefit is produced. Resources can broadly be classified upon their availability. It is wrong to you use militant words in a scientific setting. thanks. The resources and riches of Africa are enormous and some government have decided to maintain the inequality because the old money is a junky and is finding changes as hard as the ending of slavery.

[@mtn1793]

The banality of evil… It’s an addiction which is stampeding us to the edge.

[@XXDJOZXX]

They own us so well that we even speak their language hahahaha I laugh because how stupid it is.

[@bigtridentguy]

Someone please tell the author to sit up straight, don't touch your face, don't fidget, tuck in your shirt, use some product in your hair and speak clearly, It will help anyone watching receive your great research & reporting in a much more effective manner.

[@kentendo6453]

I've met Tom in person and he still suffers from bouts of PTSD from some of the things he's witnessed. His fidgeting is a byproduct of PTSD and he genuinely struggles to sit still. He's a likeable character and from his point of view wants to raise further awareness of the issues of kleptocracy in all its ugliness, hoping more people will pick up the mantle to find solutions to these issues. He said he felt compelled to write the book after his experiences in Africa. On his hair style, he's from Manchester which is home to some genuinely shady hairstyles, for another example see Brian Cox who is from around the area

[@bigtridentguy]

@@kentendo6453 Thanks for sharing that info. It's unfortunate to hear he suffers from PTSD resulting from his research. He certainly is likeable and of course presents a great deal of information on a topic the world needs to know more about. My comments were not meant to diminish his work. Rather, just a few tips that might help his presentation be a bit less distracting and allow the information he presents to be the standalone focus. Hoping to hear more from him.

[@kentendo6453]

@@bigtridentguy likewise, I hope he keeps up with his investigations and updates the public via his publications. When I met him he was fully suited and looked a lot smarter. Sadly being from Manchester he will probably never change his hairstyle... that said I'm an investigative officer myself and my hairstyle isn't any better. Personally I'm like you and hoping others will pick up the plight, no matter how small. I can genuinely see routes in which the west could be subjected to the mercy of kleptocrats and praying it never happens, and I'm an agnostic atheist, I never pray

[@scottpreston5074]

Oh please, focus on the book and information. Or just listen to the audio.

[@Leslie-ty2ku]

He's cute and the dishevelled look is actually appealing. His passion and intelligence more than make up for lack of neatness or praciticed presentation. Keep up the great investigative work Tom.

[@safetydave720]

Stop blaming everyone else. Blacks have as much opportunity as anyone else. Ask Herman Cain, Allen West, Dr. Been Carson and others. They said anyone can achieve greatness and they proved it. Africans in Africa areent doing anything to promote or advance Africa.

[@Gemini3K]

Spoken like a true ignoramus.

[@rolandkamugisha5012]

the most useless book points out problems but no solutions you are very clever man

[@adjeiboateng6720]

Should he tell the leaders what to do? Anyone with common sense knows how to end this