Cote d'Ivoire Expands Military Cooperation with China

 Defence Web published on 18 August 2026 an article titled "Cote d'Ivoire Boosts Military Capabilities with New Chinese Patrol Vessels and Drones" by Armand Liebenberg.

Cote d'Ivoire recently took possession of two Chinese donated Predator-class coastal patrol vessels and purchased at least two advanced Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones.  China earlier supplied Cote d'Ivoire with 9 assault vehicles and 27 armored personnel carriers.  

Business Insider Africa published on 11 August 2026 an article titled "China Delivers Its Famous Wing Loong II Combat Drones to Another African Country in Growing Challenge to America's MQ-9 Reaper" by Olamilekan Okebiorun.

Nigeria, Morocco, and Algeria previously received China's Wing Loong II combat drones.  It is a lower cost alternative to the US-produced MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper drones.  

Somalia/Somaliland: Text of US AFRICOM Commander's Interview

 This is the full text of the interview by Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of the National Union of Somali Journalists, with General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the Commander of U.S. Africa Command in Mogadishu and posted on 31 July 2026.

Most of the interview focuses on US-Somali cooperation in combatting al-Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia.  This is the interview where General Anderson also said, "there are no plans to build a base in Somaliland" and "U.S. policy is, and remains, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.  That has not changed."   

US Tweaks Security Strategy in Africa

 Business Insider Africa published on 3 July 2026 an article titled "U.S. Military Outlines New Africa Strategy Built on Intelligence, Drones, and Local Forces" by Solomon Ekanem.

Speaking after the 2026 Africa Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Luanda, Angola, from 30 June to 2 July, General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said the United States is shifting its strategy in Africa to a focus on intelligence sharing, affordable drones, and African led operations instead of relying on large US troop deployments.

For background on ACHOD, see "AFRICOM Hosts Key Defense Conference to Discuss Security Opportunities."

Africa's Critical Minerals and Great Power Competition

 Rare Earth Exchanges published on 17 May 2026 an article titled "Africa Has Become the New Geopolitical Battleground for Critical Minerals."

The article summarizes a study that examines trade flows, foreign direct investment, military relationships, diplomatic agreements, mining policy, and strategic industrial initiatives shaping Africa's critical minerals economy.  It evaluates how China, Russia, the United States, and Europe are accessing and responding to Africa's critical mineral wealth.

The entire study "In the Crosshairs: Twenty-first-century Rivalry for Africa's Critical Minerals" by Ron Matthews and Vlado Vivoda was published online on 11 May 2026 by the European Journal of International Security.  

China Supports Egyptian Military Modernization and Seeks Influence

 Modern Diplomacy published on 6 May 2026 a commentary titled "Egyptian Military Bases: A Strategic Linchpin for China's Interests in the Eastern Med and Red Sea" by Nadia Helmy, Beni Suef University.

China seeks to leverage the development of Egyptian military bases as centers for Chinese military technology, especially UAVs and advanced air defense systems.  By supporting Egyptian military modernization, China also weakens Cairo's military dependence on the United States.  

Turkey Extends Economic and Military Influence in Somalia

 The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies published on 7 May 2026 an analysis titled "The New Scramble: Turkey, Somalia and the Battle for the Red Sea" by Matthew Chandler de Waal.

Turkey has become Somalia's foremost ally.  Camp TURKSOM, Ankara's largest overseas military base, has trained thousands of Somali special forces since 2017.  More recently, Turkey became engaged in a major project to develop Somalia's deepwater oil reserves.

Turkey is now looking to build a base in the Gulf of Aden at Laas Qoray, a port city that is contested by Somalia and the breakaway government of Somaliland.  A base in Laas Qoray would put Turkey in position to join a host of other nations with military bases at the south end of the Red Sea.

Examining Russia's Influence in Africa

 The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published in April 2026 a study titled "Russia in Africa: Examining Moscow's Influence and Its Limits" edited by Nate Reynolds, Frances Z. Brown, Frederic Wehrey, and Andres S. Weiss.  

The collection of essays explores Russia's role, its appeal, and its limitations across very different parts of the continent--from West Africa and the Sahel to Southern Africa.  It dives into Russia's interests and tools and explains how they vary over time and between places.  It explores the agency and interests of African governments and citizens.

The collection contains the following essays:

--Introduction by Frances Z. Brown and Nate Reynolds

--Moscow's Dual-Track Africa Playbook: Transactional Security Deals in the Sahel, Enduring Political Capital in Southern Africa by Priyal Singh

--The Drivers and Limits of Russia's Appeal in West Africa and the Sahel by Jean-Herve Jezequel

--Russia's Geopolitical Hedging in the Sahel and West Africa by Anouar Boukhars

--Russia Risks Falling into the Sahel Security Trap by Hanna Rae Armstrong

--Battle for the Narrative: Africa in the Crosshairs of Russian Influence by Bah Traore

--Russia Eyes Expanded Role in Coastal West African States by Beverly Ochieng

--The Bear Down South: Russia's Relations with Southern Africa by Steven Gruzd and Friedrich von Treskow

--South Africa's Relationship with Russia: Navigating Historical Legacies, Domestic Change, and Geopolitical Complexities by Ray Hartley

--Beyond Material: Russia's Appeal to Southern African States by Philani Mthembu

Taiwan-Somaliland Connection Drives China's Support for Somalia

 The Conversation published on 15 April 2026 a commentary titled "China's Military Support for Somalia Is on the Rise--What Taiwan and Somaliland Have to Do with It" by Brendon J. Cannon, Khalifa University.

Beijing has promised equipment, training, and closer security cooperation with Mogadishu.  The author argues that China is increasingly involved in Somalia because breakaway Somaliland has established close ties with Taiwan.

Turkey Expands Influence in Africa

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 16 April 2026 an analysis titled "Turkey Expands Influence in Africa" by Liam Karr and Michael DeAngelo.  

Turkey recently advanced economic and security ties with Somalia and Niger.  Both countries now serve as Ankara's anchors for further advancing its strategic interests in Africa.  In the case of Somalia, Turkey has assumed responsibility for managing and protecting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) while it helps rebuild the defunct Somali navy in exchange for 30 percent of EEZ revenues.

Russia Props Up Madagascar's New Military Government

 Bloomberg published on 8 April 2026 an article titled "Russia Steps Up Its Courtship of Fragile African States" by Antony Squazzin.  

Russia sent soldiers and weapons to prop up the military government that seized power in Madagascar last October.  

Ukraine Competes with Russia and China in Africa

 Euromaidan Press, an on-line independent newspaper run by Ukrainian volunteers, published on 18 February 2026 a commentary titled "Why Ukraine Keeps Losing African Allies--And What Russia and China Built While No One Watched" by Peeter Helme.

Africa is the location of competition between Ukraine, on the one hand, and Russia and China, on the other.  Ukraine is losing.  Eight African countries now vote against Ukraine in the UN General Assembly (UNGA), up from one at the outbreak of Russia's attack against Ukraine in early 2022.  Support for Ukraine collapsed from 28 African countries in 2022 to 10 during a UNGA vote in February 2025.  Most are now non-committal.    

The article attributes this loss of African support for Ukraine to a Russian disinformation campaign in Africa, an expanded scholarship program, Russian Orthodox Church outreach, and mercenary support in several countries.  Russia's efforts in Africa are assisted by its ally, China, which has a massive economic engagement with the continent.  China also has 53 embassies in Africa, Russia 40, and Ukraine only 18.  The asymmetry in all categories of engagement is vast.

The article concludes that the ground shifted not because African countries support Russia's war, but because Moscow and Beijing built systems that reward distance from Kyiv.  

Russia's Strategy in Africa

 The Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies (Free Network) published in December 2025 a paper titled "Russia's New Strategy in Africa: Big Ambitions, Limited Gains" by Maria Perrotta Berlin, Stockholm Institute for Transition Economics, and Lev Lvovskiy, Belarusian Economic Research and Outreach Center.  

While Russia has intensified relations with a handful of African states, the overall involvement remains limited in scope and depth.  There has been a modest expansion of trade since 2022 and Russia's military cooperation agreements with African states have increased markedly in recent years.  

Voting patterns in the United Nations General Assembly suggest declining rather than increasing support for Russian positions.  Russia's new strategy may yield short-term geopolitical leverage but shows little sign of delivering durable economic or political gains.

As US Influence Fades, Egypt Turns to China to Help Build Drones

 The National Interest published on 13 December 2025 an article titled "Why China Is Helping Egypt Build New Drones" by Brandon J. Weichert.

The author argues that the Middle East is falling into the hands of America's adversaries.  Egypt, for example, has turned to the Chinese (and the Russians) for military cooperation.  China's Norinco is launching joint production facilities in Egypt for armed drones, which are aimed at Egypt's Israeli neighbors.  

The author concludes that "Egypt is looking to China to help kickstart its revolution in military affairs--and that revolution is about deterring one country alone, Israel."

Egypt Seeks to Counter Ethiopia along Red Sea

 Ethiopia Insight published on 24 October 2025 an article titled "Egypt's Expanding Footprint in Somalia" by Sacad Kahin, security manager at the East African Storage Terminal in Berbera, Somaliland.  

The author argues that Egypt is increasing its influence in Somalia in order to reassert its primacy along the Red Sea corridor and constrain landlocked Ethiopia's rise before it secures an outlet to the sea.

Nigerian Air Force Adds Chinese Drones to Inventory

Military Africa published on 22 September 2025 an article titled "Nigerian Air Force Acquires Chinese Sky Whale Drones for Training" by Ekene Lionel.

The Nigerian Air Force has acquired Chinese Sky Whale Max hybrid vertical take-off and landing drones to address the persistent security challenges from Boko Haram in the northeast to banditry and oil theft in the south.  

The Air Force already has China's CH-4 medium-altitude drone for armed reconnaissance, the Wing Loong II for precision strikes with laser-guided munitions, and the CH-3B for tactical support.  The acquisition of Sky Whale drones deepens Sino-Nigerian ties, fostering technology transfers that could result in local assembly lines.

Turkey Builds Space and Missile Launch Site in Somalia

 Nanyang Technological University posted on 26 September 2025 an article titled "Somalia to Launch Satellite Launch in Partnership with Turkey."

The Turkish Space Agency is constructing a spaceport on Somalia's Indian Ocean coastline to be used for both rocket launches and the testing of long-range missile systems.  

Uganda Strengthens Defense Cooperation with China

 Defence Web posted on 19 September 2025 an article titled "New Bilateral Agreement Strengthens China/Uganda Defence Co-operation."

Uganda and China signed a military agreement aimed at expanding defense cooperation through increased exchanges in professional military education, joint training exercises, and technology transfer.

Countering China's Security Engagement in Africa

 The Atlantic Council published in August 2025 a paper titled "Addressing China's Military Expansion in West Africa and Beyond" by Tressa Guenov.

The United States needs to develop a strategic approach to Africa that addresses all Chinese security-related initiatives on the continent.  This is not the time for Washington to be pushing back from a region as important as Africa.

South Africa Schedules Joint Naval Drill with China and Russia

 Pravda published on 2 September 2025 an article titled "South Africa to Hold Joint Naval Drills with Russia and China During G20 Summit" by Anton Kulikov.

The South African National Defence Force will conduct the third stage of the MOSI joint naval exercise with Russia and China in November this year to coincide with the G-20 summit hosted by South Africa.  

Russia Tries to Improve Security in Africa's Sahel Region

 Al-Estiklal published on 29 August 2025 an article titled "Sahel States and Russia Establish Strategic Partnership: Messages and Objectives."

In mid-August, Russia invited the defense ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to Moscow to discuss strengthening security ties.  Russia reportedly is prepared to provide comprehensive support to these countries as they battle terrorist threats and armed groups.  The meeting also signaled the transfer of security support from Russia's Wagner Group to its Africa Corps replacement.