Africa and the Emerging US-China Cold War

The International Crisis Group (ICG) just posted a 32-minute podcast titled "Africa and the Emerging US-China Cold War" with Abdul Mohammed, chief of staff for the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, and Alan Boswell, senior ICG analyst for South Sudan.

Abdul Mohammed suggested the bungled Trump administration response to COVID-19 has further weakened the US globally.  China is trying to fill the void, including in Africa, which is caught in the middle and is the weakest link but not irrelevant.  China takes a long view of Africa. US engagement is less robust, less strategic, less predictable, and subject to election cycles.  The US remains focused on supporting Africa's health sector, combatting terrorism, and countering China. 

Africa must play a weak hand effectively and convince China and the European countries to strengthen multilateral institutions since the Trump administration has no interest in doing so.  China has significant economic investments in the Red Sea region.  The European countries and China have a vested interest in maintaining freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.  Russia is trying to make a comeback in Africa.  African states need to take advantage of this changing dynamic.