The historical meeting point between Africa, China and Europe was during the anti-colonial struggle in Africa. Since then, Europe’s relations with Africa have been defined by three possibilities. The first is to heed the call of Afro-pessimists and completely abandon Africa. The second is to engage Africa on terms of equality. The third is to co-operate with China over Africa. The EU has chosen the third option.
Europe’s Declining Fortunes and China’s Gains in Africa.
Even after Africa gained independence, Europe still wielded considerable influence in the continent. One of such instruments of European control was the Lome Convention of 1975. It was a system of trade that assured Europe’s control over the natural resources of countries belonging to the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) group of countries. As the 20th century drew to its end, Lome lost its appeal.
As Europe’s influence waned in Africa, China started establishing its own foothold in the continent. China easily won the hearts and minds of African states because of its active role in the liberation struggle. The collapse of the Soviet Union also meant a reduction of Soviet influence in Africa. This vacuum was immediately filled by China. At the beginning of the 21st century, Sino-African relations had replaced European control of Africa.
Two major conferences in the first decade of the 21st century defined the contours of Africa’s relations with both Europe and China. At the Forum on Africa-China Co-operation Summit (FOCAC 2006) in Beijing, China and Africa agreed to build a new form of relationship “based on political equality, mutual trust, economic co-operation, win-win and cultural exchanges.” At the Lisbon EU-Africa Summit a year later, all Europe got was a polite farewell. “It is clear Europe is close to losing the battle of competition in Africa,” said President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.
Co-operation with China, Europe’s Last Chance in Africa
China’s sway over Africa has already become a fait accompli. It was in recognition of this fact that the EU made an open appeal for cooperation with China over Africa. This appeal was contained in a policy document titled “The EU, Africa and China: Towards a trilateral dialogue and cooperation.” (Released 17 October 2008).
The EU document acknowledged the stark reality about Africa. “At the dawn of the 21st century,” it read, “the new geopolitics present challenges and opportunities for all players. Nowhere is this truer than in Africa which is entering a new era.” The document further highlighted Africa’s importance in the global geopolitical dispensation. “… there is a renewal of interest in the African continent because of its strategic significance in economic, security and political terms.”
China’s Response to Europe’s Call for Co-operation
Even before the EU voiced its call to China, Beijing had made known its intention to cooperate with the EU over Africa. In Brussels on May 16, 2008, China’s ambassador to the EU, Song Zhe made China’s position clear. “China and the EU have almost the same goals in safeguarding peace and development in Africa.”
As Europe and China contest for hegemony in Africa, it still remains to be seen how these ideological rivals can walk on the same road that leads to Africa's resources. However, recurrent problems in Africa such as migration, terrorism and now the rise of piracy along Africa’s eastern coast call for nothing less than cooperation between China and the EU.
Cooperation will however have meaning only when Africa plays a central role in any form of dialogue that concerns its fate. This is the only way China and Europe can avoid repeating the mistakes of history.
