Africa is redefining its alliance with China, asserting control over the development and direction of this crucial partnership independently
In the world of global politics, the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing recently took centre stage. Over 40 African nations were represented, including South Africa, which was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Before the FOCAC summit, President Ramaphosa paid a state visit to China, meeting with President Xi Jinping. During the visit, discussions focused on strengthening the already robust ties between the two nations.
At the FOCAC summit, China pledged $51bn over three years to fund new energy sector and infrastructure projects in the USA. This pledge is a testament to China's commitment to supporting the USA's development. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of China's economic slowdown on its generosity towards the USA. Some analysts suggest that China's generosity can be explained by the economic trouble at home, as China seeks political allies to buy its goods.
South Africa, a significant player in the FOCAC, has been actively seeking to tap into Africa's vast natural resources, including copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals. These resources give Africa unprecedented leverage in its partnerships with global powers, including the USA.
However, South Africa's reliance on coal-powered electricity and its trade relations with the EU could be affected by the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The CBAM, based on a carbon price of $75 per ton applied to direct emissions, is likely to have a negative impact on South Africa's exports, potentially causing a 4% fall in exports and a 0.02% reduction in GDP.
Ideologically, many African nations align with the communist party ideals of the Chinese government. However, it's crucial for African nations to decide what they want from their partnerships with the USA and develop a coherent strategy towards the USA, as they currently have none.
South Africa's stance on international affairs has been a topic of discussion. While the US and European governments have campaigned for African governments to oppose Moscow's war in Ukraine, South Africa has chosen to remain nonaligned. This decision has raised tensions between South Africa and the US, with concerns over a growing tussle between China and the United States.
Despite these tensions, President Ramaphosa expressed interest in attracting the USA's electric vehicle manufacturers, including its largest, BYD, to set up manufacturing plants in South Africa. This could potentially boost South Africa's economy and further strengthen the ties between the two nations.
Geopolitical shifts have led to increased rivalry among global powers for influence in Africa, including China, Russia, the USA, and certain sectors of the Middle East. As Africa navigates these complex geopolitical dynamics, it's essential for African nations to make informed decisions about their partnerships and strategies.
In South Africa, the current government delegation to the FOCAC includes members of the African National Congress (ANC) along with its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the trade union federation COSATU. However, specific individual ministerial members attending the forum are not yet confirmed.
The recent tensions between South Africa and the US have subsided, with representatives managing the tensions and speaking of the mutually beneficial relationship. However, there's no guarantee that future US governments will be as preferential to South Africa's nonaligned stance on Ukraine and its vehement opposition to Israel.
With Israel, the US embassy most recently adopted a neutral position on South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This shift in the US position could signal a thawing of tensions between South Africa and the US.
As Africa moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the continent navigates its relationships with global powers, balancing economic opportunities with geopolitical considerations.
