Africa Youth Survey: Perceptions of China and US

 The Ichikowitz Family Foundation just published its massive African Youth Survey 2026.  It held face-to-face interviews with about 5,000 Africans aged 18-24 from 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

It covers many issues, but the focus here is perceptions of China and the United States.  African youth see China (79 percent) and the United States (81 percent) as the most influential foreign actors, although China's influence is seen as somewhat more positive.

The survey looked at the influence of the US, China, Brazil, EU, UK, Germany, France, India, and Russia.  The only country whose influence was seen as less positive than the United States (85 percent) was Russia (83 percent).  

About 3 in 5 youth are optimistic about Africa's future during the Trump administration, especially on military support and security.  Just under half believe the closure of USAID will negatively impact their country, with healthcare and disease prevention seen as the areas most affected.  

China and India are increasingly viewed as more favorable partners than the United States, a sentiment shaped in part by the return of the Trump administration.  

US Connection to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces

 Reuters published on 15 July 2026 an in-depth article titled "The US Army Veteran and the Mystery Boeings Flying Sudan's War Routes" by Alexander Dziadosz, Reade Levinson, and David Lewis.  

Companies registered in Singapore and the UAE owned by a US government, and military contractor and US Army Special Forces veteran have been operating several Boeing aircraft linking regional supply routes of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.  The United Nations has accused the RSF of genocide.  The United States has not sanctioned the companies.  

Can BRICS Lead to a New World Security Order?

 The Diplomat published on 27 January 2026 a commentary titled "BRICS Holds a Maritime Exercise at the Indo-Atlantic Crossroads - Without India" by Vrinda Malik, University of Delhi.  

The BRICS--China, India, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE--held a maritime exercise in South African waters in January.  This was the first time the BRICS expanded into the security domain.

India was the only member to totally absent itself from the naval exercise, suggesting a refusal to be part of a security exercise led by China.  Enduring China-India rivalry limits the BRICS' ability to emerge as a cohesive force capable of shaping a new world order.  

China and Russia Complete Naval Exercise in South Africa

 Armada International posted on 20 January 2026 an article titled "China and Russia in BRICS Naval Exercise Hosted by South Africa -- Iran Drops Out" by David Oliver.

South Africa hosted from 9 to 16 January a naval exercise for BRICS member states.  China and Russia sent warships that participated.  Iran sent three ships but was asked to drop out after their arrival.  The UAE sent a naval vessel that did not participate.  Brazil and India chose not to send ships.  

The ships that participated conducted drills on communication, formation maneuver, maritime strike, hijacked vessel rescue, helicopter-borne casualty transfer and treatment.  

Comment:  If one of the goals of the BRICS is to create a military alliance, this event did not offer a good omen.  

China and Africa's Donkey Dilemma

 The Hinrich Foundation published on 20 January 2026 an article titled "Africa's Donkey Trade Moratorium Shapes China's Approach on Global South" by Lauren Johnston.

In 2024, the African Union halted exports to China of African donkey skins, which provide collagen used to manufacture a Chinese traditional medicine known as ejiao.  Chinese demand for African donkey hides reached 4 to 6 million a year, decimating the donkey population on the continent.  

China has responded by increasing internal donkey production, developing other sources outside Africa, and improving the supply chain for producing the traditional Chinese medicine.  

BRICS Wargames in South Africa

 Aljazeera published on 11 January 2026 an article titled "BRICS Wargames: Why They Matter, Why India Opted Out" by Yasraj Sharma.  

Weeklong naval drills involving BRICS' members China, Russia, Iran, and the UAE opened in the waters off South Africa.  China and Iran sent destroyers, Russia and the UAE sent corvettes, and South Africa deployed a mid-sized frigate.  Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ethiopia joined the drills as observers.  India chose not to participate.  The Trump administration accused some BRICS members of pursuing anti-American policies.

China's Involvement in Guinea's Huge Iron Ore Project Has Global Implications

Think China published on 2 December 2025 an analysis titled "Simandou: The African Mine that Could Shake Australia and Reshape China's Rise" by Genevieve Donnellon-May. 

Guinea's Simandou complex is the world's largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit and Africa's largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure project.  Chinese firms control 75 percent of the project.  The first iron ore shipment departed for China in November.  China consumes about 75 percent of global iron ore imports.  Beijing's growing control over African critical minerals is drawing scrutiny from the United States.

China, India, and Brazil Compete in the Indian Ocean

 Foreign Policy Watchdog posted on 16 October 2025 a commentary titled "The Alckmin Accord: Redefining Strategic Alignment in the Indian Ocean."

Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin visited India and reportedly solidified a strategic Indian Ocean alliance built on mutual economic benefit and collaborative defense strategies.  This alliance developed as a counter to growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.  All three countries are members of BRICS.  

Nigeria Seeks to Maximize Benefits of Relations with US and China

 Nigeria's P.M. News published on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Beyond Dependency: US-China Trade Rivalry as Opportunity for Nigeria" by Emmanuel Yashim.  

Drawing on a thoughtful discussion of US and China relations with key countries in Latin America, the article emphasizes that the question for Nigeria is not which partner, the United States or China, to embrace but how to manage both relationships so they serve Nigeria's national development.  The article warns of the dangers of excessive debt and suggests that Nigeria's large trade deficit with China is unsustainable.  

An Analysis of Expanded BRICS as It Meets in Russia

 The Washington Post published on 21 October 2024 an article titled "BRICS Is Key to Putin's Fight against the U.S.  Not All Members Agree" by Robyn Dixon, Katharine Houreld, Francesca Ebel, and Karishma Mehrotra.

This is a particularly good analysis of the BRICS as it meets this week in Russia.  This is the first gathering since the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to its membership.  

Russia and China envisage the BRICS as an anti-West organization to overturn the US-led international order.  Brazil, India, and South Africa have different objectives.  The addition of new members further complicates the purpose of the organization.  The article concludes that "expansion of the group has fueled internal tensions, diluting the clout of the original founders and entrenching China's dominance."

PLA Navy Steps Up Port Calls in South Africa

 Defence Web published on 30 September 2024 an article titled "Indian, Brazilian, and Chinese Warships Heading to South Africa" by Guy Martin.

The PLA Navy is sending its frigate CNS Xuchang to participate in the annual Navy Festival in Simons Town, South Africa, from 4-6 October.  The PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, made a weeklong visit to Cape Town in August.

The Navy Festival will be followed from 7-16 October by Exercise IBSAMAR, which involves naval vessels from South Africa, India, and Brazil off the Western Cape.  Exercise IBSAMAR debuted in 2008 as an alliance of three countries with democratic values, commercial interests, and maritime cooperation.  India is sending the stealth frigate INS Talwar to Exercise IBSAMAR.

Comment:  The juxtaposition of PLA and Indian naval vessels in South Africa one after the other underscores the naval competition between India and China in the Indian Ocean.  

China and the United States Have High Positive Leadership Ratings in Africa

 Penkelemesi, a newsletter dedicated to analysis of African politics, economy, and international affairs, published on 21 May 2024 an article arguing that Africa's international relations transcend the simplistic binary framework of U.S.-China relations by Chris O. Ogunmodede.  

A 2024 Gallup Rating World Leaders report found the median approval in Africa of China at 58 percent and the United States at 56 percent.  Some analysts have framed this result as the United States losing influence to China.

The author argues this is a misinterpretation of public opinion data that have consistently demonstrated positive and similar views of both China and the United States in Africa.  Most Africans want to have good relations with both countries.

China Encourages All Nations to Join BRICS

 Reuters published on 20 November 2023 an article titled "China Reaffirms Support for New Nations Joining BRICS as Argentina Signals Rejection."

A representative of China's foreign ministry recently said "we welcome any interested country to become a member of the BRICS family."  China and Russia are urging an expansion of the BRICS as they seek to create an organization that can counter Western economic dominance.  

Brazil Urges Africa Not Be "Taken Hostage" by China

 The Brazilian Report published on 21 November 2023 an article titled "Lula Says He Tried to Avoid Africa Being 'Taken Hostage' by China" by Cede Silva.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised that Brazil will reengage with Africa, commenting that engagement during his previous presidency was intended to ensure that the continent not be "taken hostage" by China.  

Egypt and Ethiopia Bring Dam Dispute to BRICS

 World Politics Review published on 18 September 2023 a commentary titled "BRICS Now Owns Egypt and Ethiopia's Nile Dam Dispute" by Jonathan Fenton-Harvey, British journalist.  

The decision by the current members of the BRICS to admit at the beginning of next year Ethiopia and Egypt means the organization has absorbed a complex regional conflict--the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile--into its midst.  

The BRICS, Dedollarization, and Africa

 The Liechtenstein-based Geopolitical Intelligence Services published on 21 August 2023 an analysis titled "Prospects for the Yuan Unseating the Dollar" by Junhua Zhang.  

The recent BRICS summit in South Africa gave rise to renewed discussion of replacing the US dollar with another global reserve currency such as the Chinese yuan.  During the first quarter of 2023, 59 percent of the world's foreign exchange reserves were held in dollars and 20 percent in Euros.  Only 3 percent were held in Chinese yuan.  

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) agreed in Johannesburg to add 6 more countries (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) on 1 January 2024, resulting in 3 African members in the 11 member organization.  While China has made significant progress in strengthening the yuan's status, it will not soon become the dominant global reserve currency.  The yuan's progress in this regard will depend on the stable growth of the Chinese economy.  

China-US Competition in Africa

 The New York Times published on 23 August 2023 an article titled "China Tries to Increase Its Clout in Africa Amid Rivalry With the U.S." by David Pierson and Lynsey Chutel.  

Chinese President Xi Jinping sees himself as the leader of the developing world in China's effort to offer an alternative to the US-led global order.  Africa is an emerging battleground for global influence.  

South Africa Puts Off Decision on Putin Visit until Russia-Africa Summit

 The Associated Press published on 14 July 2023 an article titled "South Africa Urges Putin to Not Attend August Summit Due to International Arrest Warrant" by Gerald Imray.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes involving the abduction of children from Ukraine.  South Africa is hosting in August the BRICS summit, which Putin was planning to attend.  South Africa is signatory to the convention creating the ICC and technically is responsible for arresting him if he visits South Africa.

In an effort to avoid this dilemma, South Africa suggested that the BRICS summit move to China, be held virtually, or that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend in lieu of Vladimir Putin.  Russia rejected all three suggestions.  South Africa has postponed a final decision until the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg on 27-28 July.  

South Africa to Putin: Please Don't Come to BRICS Summit

 The Insider posted on 14 July 2023 an article titled "'We Would Be Happy If He Doesn 't Come': South African Authorities' Request Not to Send Putin to BRICS Summit Rejected by Moscow."

The Russian government has declined the request by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to have Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov instead of President Vladimir Putin represent Moscow at the upcoming BRICS' summit in South Africa.  Pretoria is trying to avoid an embarrassing situation as a signatory to the Rome Statute whereby it is required to arrest Putin if he visits the country.  Putin faces an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court.  

Is Ethiopia Really a Candidate for Joining the BRICS?

 The Conversation published on 11 July 2023 a commentary titled "Ethiopia Wants to Join the BRICS Group of Nations: An Expert Unpacks the Pros and Cons" by Padraig Carmody, Trinty College Dublin.

Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa currently constitute the BRICS.  Ethiopia reportedly is interested in joining.  The author assesses the pros and cons of this unlikely development.