The departure of the last French troops from Niger in December 2023 marks a pivotal moment in Africa's extensive history of foreign engagement. This decision, fueled by anti-colonial sentiment and marking the third time French forces have withdrawn from the Sahel region in less than 18 months, signifies a step towards transitioning to a grassroots-formed, civilian government. This act not only concludes a chapter of direct military involvement by a former colonial power but also signals Africa's broader shift towards diversifying its international relationships, particularly with non-Western powers such as China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strategic reorientation raises a critical question: Do these evolving partnerships represent a genuine stride towards Africa's self-determination, or are they merely a new form of dependency, guised as gilded economic diplomacy?
Evolution of Africa's International Partnerships
Africa's post-colonial trajectory has been deeply shaped by its interactions with Western powers. Stemming from the 19th Century Berlin Conference, the continent's history with these powers has often been marked by a complex blend of aid, economic cooperation, and interventionist policies that have not always been in harmony with its quest for autonomy and development, a stated aspiration by the African Union. The speeches delivered by African leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023 reflect Africa’s ongoing efforts to carve out a new position in the global order, emphasizing a move towards partnerships over dependency on external support. Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo encapsulates this perspective, stating that ‘it is time to acknowledge openly that much of Europe and the United States have been built from the vast wealth harvested from the sweat, tears, blood and horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the centuries of colonial exploitation.’ This shift is not merely reactive but represents a strategic approach aimed at fostering partnerships that promise more equitable engagement and support the advancement of Africa's development goals.
Developmental Prospects
The economic engagements between African nations and China and the UAE, marked by initiatives such as the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ivory Coast for the recent Africa Cup of Nations and the Blue Carbon initiative, signal a significant shift in Africa's international relations. These projects, while promising infrastructural and economic upliftment, also introduce the risk of fostering a new form of economic dependency characterized by increased debt and potential loss of control over vital national resources. This juxtaposition of immediate benefits against the backdrop of long-term sovereignty issues elucidates the complexity of Africa's venture into economic diplomacy.
Economical and Environmental Concerns
China's contributions, exemplified by the donation of Zimbabwe's parliament building in October 2023 and the establishment of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Ethiopia in January 2023, illustrate the likelihood for a burgeoning relationship. African nations involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) received USD 114 billion between 2013-2021 from development finance institutions and commercial actors, with a focus on big-ticket transport infrastructure, including rail and ports. However, this financial engagement has drawn criticism, primarily from Western observers, who argue that China's financing of these costly projects could lead to a debt-trap, allowing Beijing to possibly take control of collateral assets. One longitudinal study highlighted that some Chinese contracts may also contain clauses granting lenders the power to affect the debtor countries’ domestic and international policies.
In a similar vein, the UAE's carbon trading strategies, involving agreements to manage and monetize forest carbon credits, have also sparked debates over their fairness and environmental consequences. Blue Carbon's deals cover an area equivalent to the total size of the United Kingdom, distributed across 20% of Zimbabwe, 10% of Liberia, 10% of Zambia, and 8% of Tanzania. These agreements are scrutinized by community-based critics who are worried about losing local control over forests, are questioning whether the sales' revenue will actually be received by the respective governments, and are concerned that the carbon credits might undermine climate change efforts. This concern arises from a potential loophole allowing petrostates to purchase credits, enabling them to maintain high emissions levels while ostensibly complying with the commitments of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Additionally, The Upper Guinea Forest in Liberia, a biodiversity-rich area containing millions of tons of carbon, has suffered extensive depletion, with human activity destroying 70% of the forest hotspot. The international NGO community along with Liberian media have raised concerns about the legality of the agreement and the benefits from transferring control of a tenth of the country to an overseas entity.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, the path forward for Africa necessitates an “Africa-first” strategic approach to international partnerships, focusing on enhancing negotiation capacities, diversifying economic relationships, and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks.
This strategy is essential for effectively navigating the complexities of economic diplomacy, with an aim to create partnerships that are equitable, sustainable, and transparent, particularly in engaging communities in discussions on policies that affect the entire country. Such community engagement is crucial, ensuring that these partnerships align with Africa's development priorities. While these partnerships offer significant opportunities for economic and infrastructural development, they also pose challenges that require careful management to prevent new forms of dependency. Africa's future in the global arena hinges on leveraging these relationships in a way that ensures sustainable development and the preservation of its sovereignty, thus embodying a genuine move towards prosperity and self-determination in the 21st century.