China has always been considered a diplomatic powerhouse on the international stage with a history of being able to influence and mediate difficult transnational issues. As the world’s second-largest economy, and home to the only global superpower after the United States, China has used its economic and diplomatic prowess to not only gain economic advantage, but also to shape regional politics. In recent years, China has made its presence felt in the African continent, and is now seeking to become a peace mediator in Africa.
In a bid to improve relations between China and Africa, China and its President Xi Jinping have recently announced plans to increase investments, and even set up a $60 billion fund for African development, as well as a peacekeeping force of nearly 10,000 troops for the continent. China has also presented itself as a mediator in regional conflicts, offering to provide its experience and resources in brokering peace. This is a new development, as most global efforts focus on countries’ individual needs, rather than the African continent as a whole.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how China is attempting to become the peace mediator in Africa, and the challenges that it may face in the process.
China’s Broader Role in Africa
China’s presence in the African continent has grown notably in recent years, primarily driven by its increasing investments and relationships. With projects such as the China-Africa cooperation forum, China has sought to be a vital partner for African countries seeking economic and investment opportunities, to the extent that it has even been described as Africa’s “economic saviour.”
From infrastructure investments to health care, energy, and education projects, China has become a major player in the economy of countries throughout the African continent, and in the case of Somali, for instance, it even provided millions of dollars for the reconstruction of the country following years of conflict.
Moreover, China is looking beyond purely economic investments, and has been expanding its political footprint in the African continent. For instance, in 2018, China opened a military base in Djibouti, its first overseas base, underscoring Beijing’s growing military presence in the region.
China’s Increasing Military Presence in Africa
Perhaps the clearest demonstration of China’s increasing political and military presence in Africa is Xi’s proposal for the establishment of a Chinese peacekeeping force in the continent. In his 2018 speech at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Xi announced plans to set up a rapid-response approach to peacekeeping in Africa, which would involve the deployment of 8,000 military personnel to the African continent.
The proposal met with a favorable response from African leaders, who welcomed the promise of greater assistance from the Chinese government in maintaining regional stability and helping to resolve regional conflicts.
China’s Peace Mediation Challenges
Despite the enthusiasm for China’s proposal for peacekeeping capabilities in Africa, China still faces major challenges in its efforts to be seen as a peace mediator in the region. These challenges are both external and internal, and largely depend on its ability to tailor-make its approach and strategies to the local needs of African nations.
Externally, China faces the challenge of building relationships of trust and cooperation with other international actors and diplomatic stakeholders in the region. Other world powers have been involved in African conflicts for centuries, and have established networks of contacts that have already proven fruitful in resolving regional disputes. Thus, for China to be viewed as an effective peace mediator in Africa, it will first have to gain the trust of other international stakeholders.
Internally, the Chinese government will have to address the lack of local knowledge and expertise in understanding the complexities of African conflicts. This includes a better understanding of the dynamics of civil wars, of the different armed groups involved, and the variety of political and social contexts that could potentially hamper the peace process.
In addition, the government also needs to take into account the potential dissatisfaction of local citizens, who may not be receptive to a foreign power intervening in their internal affairs. These are issues that the Chinese government must address before its peace mediation efforts can be effective in Africa.
China is actively seeking to be seen as a peace mediator in Africa, and has made significant inroads in the region in recent years. However, success will ultimately depend on the government’s ability to tailor-make its approach to the local needs of African nations, and to gain the trust of other international stakeholders. Ultimately, if the Chinese government can show that it is sincere in its efforts to promote peace and stability, then it may yet have a chance of being seen as a legitimate peace mediator in Africa.
