Chinese Diplomacy in Africa

 The LSE Blog posted on 6 August 2025 a commentary titled "China is Reshaping Global Power Dynamics through Diplomatic Ritual" by Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah, Lingnan University, and Christian Kaunert, Dublin City University.

In January 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made his first overseas trip of the year to Africa--Chad, Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Nigeria--a practice the Chinese foreign minister has done every year since 1991.  The author argues that Wang Yi's trip represents a systematic erosion of Western influence in Africa.

Somaliland and Taiwan Sign Coast Guard Cooperation Agreement

 Focus Taiwan published on 24 July 2025 an article titled "Taiwan, Somaliland Sign Coast Guard Cooperation Deal."

Somaliland's foreign minister met with Taiwan's president in Taipei last week when they signed a coast guard cooperation agreement involving training and exercises.  

A Shout Out for US Diplomacy

 The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon reprinted on 29 July 2025 a commentary originally published in the Chicago Tribune titled "Burning Down America's Best Tool for Peace and Prosperity" by Elisabeth Shakelford, Dartmouth.

The author makes the case against the recent major cuts in State Department staffing instituted by DOGE.  She argues that diplomacy is the least expensive way to resolve or mitigate global crises.  

Thanks to Retired Admiral William H. McRaven

 The Washington Post published on 15 July 2025 a commentary titled "William H. McRaven: Cutting the State Department and USAID Will Put Every American at Risk,"

Retired Admiral McRaven, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, praised the work of Foreign Service and USAID personnel at locations around the world, especially for their efforts to counter terrorism.  He singled out some by name and argued that the dismantlement of USAID and sharp personnel reductions at the State Department only jeopardize American national security.  

State Department Reduction in Force: How It Was Done and Reactions

 NBC News posted on 12 July 2025 an account titled "Veteran U.S. Diplomats Baffled after Mass Layoffs at State Department" by Abigail Williams.  

This is a report on the 11 July dismissal of more than 1,300 State Department civil and foreign service personnel.  It focuses on the way the State Department conducted the firings and the response of those fired and those who kept their jobs.  

China's PLA Troops March in Comoros Independence Day Ceremony

 China Military Online published on 7 July 2025 an article titled "PLA Support Base in Djibouti Participates in 50th Anniversary of Comoros' Independence" by Wang Zongyang and Dong Mingli.

Following its participation in Madagascar's Independence Day celebration (see 4 July below), a unit of PLA troops from China's military base in Djibouti repeated the performance on 7 July at the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Comoro Islands.  On this occasion, they joined marching units from Tanzania and Morocco.

Comment:  This is another example of PLA military diplomacy in the Indian Ocean region.  

State Department Reductions in Force

 The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the organization that represents personnel in the State Department and other international affairs agencies, issued a statement on 11 July 2025 titled "AFSA Strongly Opposes State Department Reductions in Force." 

The statement appeared before more than 1,300 civil service and foreign service personnel at the U.S. Department of State learned today that they are being dismissed.  These dismissals follow a 20 percent reduction in personnel because of the dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development and earlier forced resignations.  

Comment:  This is a sad day for civil service and foreign service personnel in the State Department.  While it has been done in the name of "reform," it has nothing to do with reform.  It is little more than part of a much larger effort to shrink the U.S. government in the mistaken view that it can do more with less.  The American public can judge the results in the years to come.

There are legitimate reasons to periodically change foreign policy priorities, eliminate functions, and add them.  But the reduction in force used in this "reform" does not appear to follow any coherent effort to take into account the skills and expertise of those being dismissed or the growing challenges that confront American foreign policy.     

State Department Layoffs Threaten U.S. National Security

 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) posted on 7 July 2025 a statement warning that State Department layoffs threaten U.S. national security.  It argues that the elimination of some 2,000 positions will result in a loss of critical expertise, surrender global leadership, and is being done without any clear strategy for going forward.  

American Academy of Diplomacy Opposes State Department Deep Cuts

 The American Academy of Diplomacy, an organization of retired senior State Department and international affairs personnel, posted on 3 July 2025 a press release titled "The Academy Opposes Deep Cuts to American Diplomats."

The American Academy of Diplomacy issued a strong statement in opposition to the elimination of 15 percent of the State Department's workforce following the dismantlement of the US Agency for International Development and the haphazard reorganization of the State Department.  These decisions will seriously undermine the US government's ability to conduct foreign policy.  

Niger Demonstrates Limits of China's Transactional Diplomacy

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 30 June 2025 an analysis titled "The Limits to China's Transactional Diplomacy in Africa" by Paul Nantulya.

After supporting the democratically elected government in Niger, China has become the main financial backer of the military regime that overthrew the democratic government.  Beijing's transactional approach to Niger has turned sour.  Jihadism is thriving in Niger, including attacks on China's oil investment.  Niger is also having difficulty repaying its debt to China.  

Exodus of Chinese Ambassadors from West Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 22 June 2025 an article titled "Routine or Rising Tensions? Chinese Ambassadors in Exodus from West African Nations" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Chinese ambassadors in Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger returned to Beijing at about the same time.  It raises the question whether their return was coincidental or is intended to send some kind of subtle message to the region.  

Marco Rubio's State Department Reorganization Plan

 The Foreign Policy Expertise blog posted on 29 April 2025 a commentary titled "How to Make Rubio's State Department Reform a Success" by Dan Spokojny.

The author argues that to the extent the Rubio reorganization of the State Department focuses on moving some authority from functional bureaus to regional bureaus, it has merit. There has always been some unnecessary tension and overlap between the functional and regional bureaus. 

Comment:  If done properly, Rubio's reorganization plan could improve operations in the State Department.  That remains to be seen.  The bigger issue is ensuring an adequate budget and staffing.  Moving all the bureaucratic boxes in the State Department will improve nothing if there is an insufficient budget and personnel to carry out the Department's mission.   

Any Hope Left for Diplomacy in Sudan?

 The International Crisis Group posted on 25 April 2025 a 25-minute podcast titled "Any Hope Left for Diplomacy in Sudan?" with Alan Boswell and Abdul Mohammed, long time follower of Sudanese issues. 

The war in Sudan is effectively eliminating the concept of a Sudanese state.  Sudan has been at war with itself since independence.  Western Sudan is becoming integrated into the Sahel region and eastern Sudan is part of the Horn of Africa. One cannot rule out partition of the country.

What is needed now is a full-time mediation effort led by the African Union with complete bilateral and multilateral support.  Sudan can be pieced together again because most Sudanese people want unity.

Marco Rubio Shuts Down State Department's Soft Power Programs

 MSNBC posted on 23 April 2025 a commentary titled "Marco Rubio Is Taking a Chainsaw to America's Soft Power" by Zeeshan Aleem.  

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio implements the Trump administration's America First policy, he is eliminating traditional soft power programs in the State Department for promoting human rights, democracy, and the empowerment of women.  The Trump administration is signaling that it increasingly intends to use the threat of force instead of diplomacy to achieve its foreign policy goals.  

Ethiopia: Tigray's Political Transition

 Ethiopia Insight published on 17 April 2025 a commentary titled "Strategic Pathways for Tigray's Political Transition" by an anonymous author with over 20 years of academic, non-profit, and government experience.  

The author believes Tigray Region is at a crossroads in its political history.  His comments suggest a pragmatic and strategic approach for Tigray's new leadership, focusing on resolving key issues such as power-sharing among factions, restoring territorial integrity, fostering diplomatic relations, and dealing with the complex socio-political dynamics in Tigray.  

Closing US Embassies: Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

 The New York Times published on 15 April 2025 an article titled "State Dept. Expands Plans for Closing Embassies and Consulates" by Karoun Demirjian.

The New York Times has viewed an internal State Department memo that says the Trump administration is considering plans to close 10 embassies and 17 consulates and reduce or consolidate the staff of several other foreign missions.  Six of the embassies up for closure are in Africa (Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan) and two in Europe (Luxembourg and Malta) as well as Grenada and the Maldives.  Most of the consulates are in Europe.

Comment:  If these closures are carried out, China will have wider diplomatic representation globally than the United States.  Beijing currently has an embassy in all 54 African countries except Eswatini, which recognizes Taiwan. This puts China ahead of the United States today in Africa.  Closing six more US embassies in Africa will leave Washington at a distinct disadvantage.  Gambia has the same voting power in the UN General Assembly as the United States or China. For minimal savings, the Trump administration would alienate ten countries.  The party goes on in Beijing and Moscow.  

China Walks Fine Line in DRC-Rwanda Dispute

 The BBC posted on 26 March 2025 an article titled "DR Congo Conflict Tests China's Diplomatic Balancing Act" by Jack Lau.

Chinese companies are significantly engaged in the mineral-rich eastern DRC where a Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group is militarily opposing DRC security forces.  China has for years maintained good relations with both countries and remained neutral in the dispute.  Until recently, China cited unnamed "foreign forces" as supporting the M23 rebels. Now it is naming Rwanda as the source of that support and publicly hoping that the government will end the relationship.  China provides weapons to both countries.  

China Considers Reviving Projects in Libya

 The Libya Herald published on 11 March 2025 an article titled "Libya and China Discuss Establishment of Libyan Chinese Training Centre in Benghazi and an MOU" by Sami Zaptia.

The charge d'affaires of the Libyan embassy met with Libya's Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation in Tripoli where they discussed ways to accelerate the return of Chinese companies to Libya and resumption of development activities, including vocational training and employment and regulating the mobility of labor.  They also discussed a Libyan-Chinese Centre for Vocational Training and Rehabilitation in Benghazi.  

Downsizing the US Department of State

 The New York Times published on 6 March 2025 an article titled "State Dept. Plans to Close Diplomatic Missions and Fire Employees" by Edward Wong and Mark Mazzetti.

The State Department has been hemorrhaging senior staff since the beginning of this year.  The Trump administration is looking to cut staffing by as much as 20 percent.  A dozen consulates, mostly in Western Europe, are on the chopping block.  Locally hired staff may be hit especially hard by the firings.  Embassies are also reportedly under discussion for closure.  

Global Diplomacy Index: China Pulls Ahead of US

 Australia's Lowy Institute has released its "2024 Global Diplomacy Index."

China pulled ahead of the United States in global diplomatic missions in 2019 and maintained a small lead through 2023.  Russia's war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant reduction in Moscow's diplomatic representation.  Türkiye and India have significantly expanded their representation in recent years.  There has been a recent focus on the establishment of diplomatic missions in Pacific Islands countries.