African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1462: Chapter 23: East Bo Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty (3)

The first point mentioned by Cabriel is the right to build roads, intended to establish the foundation for economic cooperation between East Africa and Persia. The second point is the right to station troops, primarily to safeguard East Africa’s interests in Persia, while infiltrating the Persian army to support pro-East African forces, replacing the originally pro-Russian forces.

Regarding the second point, Ahmed agreed without hesitation. Given the current situation in Persia, external players like East Africa are actually more trustworthy.

Once the military issue is resolved, other areas of cooperation can be seen as minor issues.

Cabriel continued: ”The two countries should engage in deep economic cooperation. The Rhine Shield should become the main currency in circulation in Persia, while some Persian assets should be deposited in East Africa to facilitate trade settlements between the two countries. Particularly in northern Persia, the Persian government should support the investment activities of East African enterprises.”

Persia, after all, has been divided between East Africa and the United Kingdom, so the East African Government does not expect Persian policies to impact the entire Persian region.

Thus, even in economic cooperation, East Africa can only tacitly control areas within its sphere of influence, namely northern Persia.

”Meanwhile, the Empire will assist Persia in establishing a batch of higher education institutions to help Persia progress towards becoming a civilized country.”

This represents a cultural and ideological infiltration into Persia, and indeed, Iran’s past performance evidences the success of such cultural and ideological infiltration. East Africa has accumulated relevant experience over the years, which can be applied to Persia to cultivate a group of ’spiritual East Africans’ there.

”Based on Persia’s national conditions, the Empire will focus on supporting the development of Persia’s agriculture, mining, and industry to help Persia overcome extreme poverty issues.”

New colonialism often uses agriculture and mining as entry points, turning target regions into raw material dependencies. Of course, despite this, new colonialism at least leaves some benefits for the local people.

Listening to Cabriel’s grandiose rhetoric, Ahmed felt quite depressed, but somewhat comforted, as even though East Africa was openly ’snatching,’ it was more polite than Tsarist Russia. If Tsarist Russia were still around, it would probably have come with its troops directly.

Merely two months later, East Africa reached a series of agreements with Persia, consolidated into the East Bo Friendship and Mutual Assistance Treaty.

The signing of the treaty also indicates a further decline in Britain’s regional influence. Before World War I, Britain would certainly have intervened in Persian affairs, but now it can only turn a blind eye to East Africa’s small maneuvers.

Similar to the past, World War I did not end Britain’s hegemony, but it made countries worldwide aware of Britain’s declining influence. Previously, the Americans benefited greatly from Britain’s decline, but in this alternate timeline, more countries are vying for these rights.

As for Europe, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and outside Europe, America, East Africa, and Japan, each showcase their prowess, striving to expand their spheres of influence.

Traditional empires like England and France can only focus their energies on their core regions and lack the capacity to engage in areas of power vacuum.

This leads to small and backward countries and regions around the world becoming increasingly vulnerable after 1920, with many powers, including an upgraded Russia, contending back and forth, leaving many countries unable to understand how to align themselves.