China’s Security Engagement with Africa & The “Global South” Narrative
Fatoumata Diallo and Maud Descamps
In recent decades, China has actively sought to position itself as a pivotal partner and emerging leader within the Global South. Despite the lack of clear consensus on the definition of “Global South” or a definitive list of countries it includes, the term holds considerable symbolic value. It embodies a shared sentiment among developing nations, characterized by a “sense of economic or financial disadvantage, frustrations with Western paternalism and neo-colonial attitudes”, and a collective drive for a more equitable global governance architecture.
China’s engagement with Africa has emerged as a critical element of its Global South strategy. Fostering stronger ties with African nations aligns with Beijing’s aims to create a multipolar global order and new norms that advance its geostrategic, political, and economic interests. China’s strategy has notably evolved to include a more assertive role in shaping Africa’s security architecture. While initially focused on establishing itself as a reliable security partner, Beijing has gradually expanded its normative influence, promoting military governance models based on its Party-military model.
These dynamics present strategic implications for the EU, requiring a nuanced understanding of China’s growing role in African security to assess challenges and impacts on EU interests.
Read the full piece here at EUROHub4Sino.
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