Europe (EU) and of course the Americans are all devising strategic interaction platforms that themselves create a playing field for geopolitical and geopolitical disputes on the continent. , the fact remains that Africans recognize that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that the road ahead is not easy.
Africa and its 54 sovereign constituent countries have once again become points of great power attraction. As the transitional world order seeks to find its shifting foundations in what appears to be the gold rush of this decade, it fits nicely with their geopolitical and geopolitical ambitions and controversies.
Despite being plagued by the 3 C’s of conflict, corruption and coups, the African continent is arguably the next big opportunity.
Moreover, it wishes to follow its own “self-reliance” and independent foreign policy choices to secure its rightful status in accordance with the AU’s Agenda 2063. The signing and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) promises to give it the negotiating leverage it needs, while seeking to capitalize on continental synergies that usually work beyond purpose.
Not only did they suffer from crude colonialism and later neo-colonialism and debt diplomacy, but under development and malnutrition, human degradation, even though all resources are natural and human, More recently, the SDGs have once again taken the background.
With the exception of exceptional outreach for countries like India to support them, she supported them despite her own challenges.At the Africa summit, when he called for “apartheid of vaccines.” Despite the shades and crying, the situation improved slightly despite being broadcast over and over again.
The same is the story of fighting climate change, where “green apartheid” remains the norm, or where efforts made to mitigate the effects of climate degradation through green finance and technology are in vain. But the West recognizes Africa’s potential, not to mention China’s continued expansion, influence, and insatiable exploration of minerals and hydrocarbons, as well as its geo-strategic outreach to the continent through his BRI initiative. further emphasized by reach.
The so-called FOCAC (Forum for China-Africa Cooperation since 2000) became the most coveted, and other organizations began broadly engaging Africans with similar policies and identical formats to engage African leaders. I was. The French, the Japanese, the Russians, the Turks and Indians, the Europeans (EU), and of course the Americans have all devised strategic interaction platforms, themselves geopolitical and geopolitical controversies. created a competitive arena for Continent. Even Jordan and Israel are looking to engage with Africa by creating their own influence.
These mechanisms may be very difficult in practice, as China is far ahead of other countries in trade, investment, and overall strategic influence despite its shortcomings, but Africans China’s foreign minister makes his first overseas visit to the African continent every New Year, saying that Africa is important in planning things, and that thinking is often rewarded. Our mission is to convey that message.
After Trump’s cynical comments about Africa, America under Biden is trying to craft a stronger African policy. Recently, from December 13-15, the United States invited 49 heads of state and government from Africa to a summit in Washington entitled “Strengthening Partnerships to Meet Common Priorities.” Again, despite his $300 million metaphorical gaffe by President Biden against his $300 million, all the commitments were unimpressive. To expand cooperation, the two sides issued a joint vision statement outlining the future trajectory and modalities for strengthening the U.S.-Africa partnership.
The United States has pledged to invest $55 billion in Africa over the next three years. To reassure the African and African-American diaspora and his national constituency, Biden announced that the President’s Advisory Committee on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE) would, under executive order, become the Secretary of State. decided to be established by P2P contacts may be institutionalized. Vice President Harris also said that over the years, he will work with Congress to help innovative and diverse African young women and men excel in the 21st century economy and drive change. announced plans to approve $100 million to expand the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Their communities, countries and continents change.
One of the most important announcements was the US endorsement of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20. India, the current chair of the G20, has also sought the participation of the AU and has a unique opportunity to expand the G20 into her G21 by working to include Africa in this very important matrix. New Delhi must take the lead and work with all other members to take the lead. In the meantime, the 4th Indo-African Forum Summit should be held early.
The MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) has also signed over $500 million in agreements with Benin and Niger to support regional economic integration, trade and cross-border cooperation. Already engaged with her 14 countries in the region. Another major announcement came from Development Finance Cooperation (DFC), where he made $369 million in new investments across Africa in food security, renewable energy infrastructure and health projects. . Africa. DFC has more than $11 billion in commitments across Africa.
To help Africa’s resilience and recovery, Washington has pledged to work with the IMF to provide $21 billion in debt relief. At the same time, he signed her MOU with the AfCFTA to expand US economic engagement. The Biden administration will work with Congress to ensure that from 2022 he will invest $1.33 billion annually in health workers in the African region through 2024, and at least $4 billion in total through 2025 in capacity-building initiatives. intend to do something. Similarly, $215 million was announced to fight Covid in Africa. The AU and the US also issued a joint statement on ensuring resilient food supply chains and food security in Africa, in which her $2 billion in humanitarian assistance was announced in addition to his existing $11 billion. did. So there is no doubt that these are well-timed initiatives.
To combat climate change and support post-COP27 adaptation in Egypt, President Biden announced the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE). with new funding. Security is one of our key areas of engagement, and President Biden is therefore calling for new partnerships to implement and sustain capabilities and reforms in the security sector and to encourage and strengthen Africa’s efforts to create the United States of the 21st century. announced that his administration was working with Congress to provide his $100 million to – Africa Security Partnership.
More importantly, it was decided to appoint Ambassador Johnny Carson as the President’s Special Representative for Africa to ensure the timely delivery of various announcements and initiatives.
President Biden will work with African governments, businesses and citizens to strengthen people-to-people ties, ensure more inclusive and responsive global institutions, build a strong and sustainable global economy, Promote new technologies and innovation, strengthen health systems, prepare for the next pandemic, tackle food security and the climate crisis, support democracy and human rights, and meet all necessities to promote peace and security. increase.
These are all things Africa needs, but the ambitious agenda is clearly values-based, prescriptive and aimed at countering Chinese and Russian influence. Forced to choose between powers. When China is criticized, many African leaders stand up and defend it. Zero-sum strategies therefore have limitations, even if distrust is somewhat mitigated through these broad interactions and statements of financial and other intentions and commitments.
Moreover, the fact that African countries are not so thrilled by the sanctions regime by the West, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, simply favors supporting permanent membership of the reformed UNSC and other multilateral institutions. It may not be enough to redirect their quest to carve their own destiny through independent foreign policy, as evidenced by numerous UN resolutions and debates. Hmm. And Africans know that as the gold rush gains momentum, there will be no free lunch and the road ahead will not be easy.
– author, Anil Trignayat
, former Ambassador to India and leads the Vivekananda International Foundation’s West Asia Expert Group. Views expressed are personal.
(edited by: CH Unnikrishnan)
First publication: Dec 27, 2022 13:03 IST
