He is the one wife belonging to many white men. Anatole explained it this way: Like a princess in a story, Congo was born too rich for her own good, and attracted attention far and wide from men who desire to rob her blind. The United States has now become the husband of Zaire's economy, and not a very nice one. Exploitive and condescending, in the name of steering her clear of the moral decline inevitable to her nature.
The quote highlights the relationship between Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the United States, personifying the latter as an unkind husband to Zaire's economy. It presents a critique of how foreign powers, particularly the U.S., exploit the country's resources under the guise of benevolence, similar to how a wealthy princess might be envied and preyed upon by greedy suitors. This reflects a broader theme of exploitation found in colonial and post-colonial narratives, where wealth draws unwanted attention and manipulation.
Anatole's analogy of Congo as a princess suggests that her riches inspire not admiration but covetousness, placing her in a vulnerable position. The “exploitive and condescending” nature of this relationship implies a lack of genuine care for the nation's well-being, framing the U.S. as a force that purports to offer guidance while primarily serving its self-interest. Overall, it critiques the paternalistic attitudes often displayed by powerful nations toward those they dominate or control economically.
