Although the world’s attention has recently been mainly focused on the events in Ukraine or the Gaza Strip, dramatic developments are also taking place in Africa. Over the past three years, there have been military coups in eight African countries that were former French colonies. It is no secret that Europe, and especially France, is losing its influence in Africa, and Russia is pushing to take its place.
That’s how Ondřej Plevák introduces his article titled “Žoldnieri z Ruska, peniaze z Číny: Ako svetové mocnosti posilňujú svoj vplyv v Afrike?” (Mercenaries from Russia, money from China: How do world powers strengthen their influence in Africa), ed. Euractiv, 30.1.2024, which I want to share with the readers here. Plevák cites the conclusions of the prominent European non-profit organization Council on Foreign Relations that Russia strengthens authoritarianism in Africa through its military influence, provokes conflicts over resources, and threatens human rights. Plevák introduces Czech political geographer Bohumil Doboš from the Institute of Political Studies of the Charles University in Prague who clarifies that Russia exports mineral resources from these countries in exchange for military support through the Wagners, with which it finances the war (against Ukraine) and circumvents sanctions. According to him, Moscow is less involved in Africa than other powers, but within the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the West, it is increasingly using anti-Western sentiments to strengthen its influence on the continent.
Ondřej Plevák also cites Kara Němečková, a Czech analyst of Chinese projects from the Prague-based NGO think tank Association for International Affairs (AMO). She explains that China is much more actively involved in Africa, which exerts its influence mainly through investments in infrastructure and various attractive loans, which often finance projects implemented by Chinese companies. She reports that Chinese investment in Africa has grown from $75 million in 2003 to as much as $5 billion in 2021 and adds that the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Chinese Province Hunan last July, where additional 120 new projects were reportedly agreed upon worth 10.3 billion dollars. It is true that in recent years, China has expanded into African countries and taken control of the strategic raw material deposits there. Thanks to this, it secured a lead in the development and production of electric cars and renewable energy sources. Bohumil Doboš in Plevák’s article also mentions that China offers African regimes a model of sustainable authoritarianism, which in many cases is well received—primarily by the local elites, not necessarily by the population. It is true that each of the Chinese heads of diplomacy in the last 30 years has always headed to Africa for their first overseas trip. This proves that Beijing is building its influence on this continent consistently and over the long term. Last year was no exception.
According to Kara Němečková, in order to create effective competition, the European Union needs to reevaluate its approach to Africa, especially in the light of growing anti-French sentiment and Russia’s growing influence in the military field. For example, the fact that it still plays the role of a key trading partner for many countries in Africa plays into its favor. “It is also necessary to respond to Chinese influence and come up with a convincing communication strategy towards African countries. For example, we failed to convince some African countries to clearly stand on the side of Ukraine,” the analyst recalled, adding that one of the ways to solve this deficit is to involve countries that are not the historical colonizers of Africa.
In conclusion, as an observer from a country that is not burdened by a colonial past, I want to state that Europe is carrying out activities in Africa that will hopefully prove to be effective in the medium and long term. Its educational program aimed at creating job opportunities in the area will be revealed at a later date. In addition, the EU needs to continue to support the principles that harmonize local specifics with our involvement, e.g., political stability in African countries, their economic strength, the sustainability of economic opportunities, the belief in democratic values, and the direction of a balanced approach between growth and investment in reforms. This is where I see the way forward for Africa.
