Africa - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis

19Apr

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Regions

China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* China's burgeoning presence in Africa transcends traditional spheres of economic investment and infrastructure development; it extends to the realm of media, where Beijing is actively shaping narratives and exerting influence to advance its geopolitical interests. This comprehensive analysis delves deep into the multifaceted strategies employed by China to assert its dominance over Africa's media landscape, examining key events, initiatives, and their implications. 1. Expansion of Chinese State-Owned Media Outlets: China Global Television Network (CGTN), formerly known as CCTV Africa, stands as a towering symbol of China's media expansion on the African continent. With bureaus strategically positioned across Africa, CGTN produces news content specifically tailored t...

America Must Act to Prevent a Rwanda-Congo War

1Apr

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Regions

America Must Act to Prevent a Rwanda-Congo War

By José Carlos Palma* Introduction The Great Lakes region of Africa has been plagued by violence and conflict for decades, with the most recent major war resulting in the deaths of over 5 million people. Now, the looming threat of another devastating conflict between Rwanda and Congo is on the horizon, presenting a dire situation that demands immediate attention and intervention. In this article, I delve into the complex dynamics of the region, highlight the potential consequences of inaction, and argue for the crucial role that the United States must play in preventing further bloodshed. Understanding the Historical Context To comprehend the gravity of the current situation, it's essential to grasp the historical context of conflict in the Great Lakes region. Decades of ethnic tens...

Navigating Africa’s Geopolitical Chessboard: The Biden Administration’s Dilemma

19Mar

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa

Navigating Africa’s Geopolitical Chessboard: The Biden Administration’s Dilemma

By José Carlos Palma* In the intricate geopolitical chessboard of Africa, where global powers vie for influence and strategic partnerships, the Biden administration finds itself confronted with a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it champions the principles of sovereignty and freedom of choice for African nations in their international engagements. On the other, behind closed doors, it engages in strategic lobbying efforts, nudging these countries to reconsider their alliances. This duplicity, critics argue, risks alienating key partners and undermining U.S. interests on the continent. The recent remarks by an unnamed source, lamenting the perceived hypocrisy of U.S. policy in Niger, encapsulate the complexities and challenges facing American diplomacy in Africa. While publicly advoca...

Assessing the Military Situation in the Horn of Africa: A Complex Geopolitical Landscape

19Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Geopolitics and International Security, Regions

Assessing the Military Situation in the Horn of Africa: A Complex Geopolitical Landscape

By José Carlos Palma* The Horn of Africa, a strategic region at the intersection of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, has long been a hotbed of conflict and instability. Recent years have seen a resurgence of violence in the region, with several countries grappling with armed insurgencies, territorial disputes, and political unrest. Ethiopian Civil War: A Prolonged and Devastating Conflict The epicenter of the current crisis lies in Ethiopia, where a civil war has raged for over two years between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The conflict has caused widespread devastation, displacing millions of people and triggering a humanitarian crisis. In recent months, the TPLF has made significant gains in the northern Ti...

Somalia Rejects Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal as ‘Aggression,’ Sparks Regional Tensions

3Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa

Somalia Rejects Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal as ‘Aggression,’ Sparks Regional Tensions

By ISSG Staff Introduction Somalia has strongly condemned a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway state of Somaliland, labeling it as an "aggression." The move has intensified regional tensions, prompting Somalia to recall its ambassador to Ethiopia and seek international support against what it deems a "blatant assault" on its sovereignty. Background The contentious memorandum of understanding, announced in Addis Ababa, comes after recent efforts by Mogadishu to resume dialogue with Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Although Somaliland operates with a degree of autonomy, seeking full statehood, it lacks international recognition, and Mogadishu vehemently opposes its secession. Details of the Deal The "historic" deal involves Ethiopian ...

Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now?

4Aug

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Regions

Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now?

By José Carlos Palma* Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now, and it is a concern that many experts have raised. Russia has been increasing its military presence in Africa in recent years, and the Horn of Africa is a region where Russia has been particularly active. There are a number of reasons why Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa. First, Russia has been providing military assistance to Ethiopia, which is currently involved in a civil war. This assistance could give Ethiopia an advantage in the conflict, and it could also lead to further instability in the region. Second, Russia has been accused of supporting Eritrea, which is another country in the Horn of Africa that is known for its human rights abuses. This support could embolden Eritrea to continu...

Nigeria’s cities are growing fast: family planning must be part of urban development plans

15Mar

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations

Nigeria’s cities are growing fast: family planning must be part of urban development plans

Nigeria is rapidly urbanising, with more people living in urban areas than in rural communities. A recent World Bank estimate shows that 53% of the 213 million Nigerians live in urban areas. That’s projected to rise above 70% by 2050. Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city, already has over 15.9 million people. The country’s urban growth rate is 6% and the general population growth rate is about 2.4%. Although urban areas are hubs for socioeconomic development, many large cities are unsafe and unhealthy. Unfortunately, infrastructure development and service delivery aren’t keeping pace with urban population growth in Nigeria. Millions of urban residents face enormous challenges like housing deficits, overcrowding and limited economic opportunities. Poverty, air and noise pollution, insecurity, h...

How Chinese Development Loans ‘Captured’ Angola

10Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa

How Chinese Development Loans ‘Captured’ Angola

By Douglas Burton * For years The Republic of Angola has been called Africa’s “richest poor country,” chock full of oil and diamonds, but wasted by 40 years of proxy wars and looted by native kleptocrats. After a bloody civil war ended in 2002, the government looked for international investors, and in two years bankers from the Chinese regime arrived in Luanda with the message, “We’re from Beijing, and we’re here to help.” Yet, nearly 20 years of Chinese state-backed projects later, Angola is on the hook for $21 billion owed to China despite the fact that Angola has negative growth, and more than 50 percent of its population is desperately poor. That’s the case presented by a panel of subject experts assessing Angola’s predicament at the Hudson Institute in Washington on Feb. 7. Chie...

Understanding the U.S.-Africa strategy under President Biden

3Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Americas

Understanding the U.S.-Africa strategy under President Biden

The last time a U.S. president met with African leaders at the White House was in 2014 By JOEL MATHIS The U.S. wants better relations with Africa. As a step toward that goal, President Biden is hosting a summit with nearly 50 African leaders this week, a meeting designed to show America's "renewed commitment" to the continent, the Los Angeles Times reports. The United States wants to counter China's influence over Africa, while African leaders want to see more business and trade with the United States. What is Biden's strategy for Africa? Here's everything you need to know: Why is Biden hosting an Africa summit now? America's rivalry with China requires it. The meeting comes at a moment when "Africa's ties with China, and increasingly Russia, have attracted scrutiny," NPR re...

Processes and Trends of Global Jihad on the African Continent

29Dec

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Counterterrorism and Homeland Security

Processes and Trends of Global Jihad on the African Continent

On May 11th, 2022, the anti-IS international coalition addressed the jihadi organizations’ expanding footprint in Africa as a growing threat to world security. As a rule, the presence of jihad on the African continent has been on the rise since the early 2000s. It grew thanks to basic African characteristics such as lack of governability, problematic political culture, corruption, and weak socio-economic position. The strategy employed by global jihadi organizations in Africa includes Dawah activity alongside enforcement of Sharia law on the local population in regions that lack state security forces presence and therefore are at the mercy of the terrorist organizations. With this state of affairs, the territorial and ideologic spread of the terrorist organizations without a massive counte...