Nicolas Cinquini

Amidst the war between the US and Russia, events unfolding on the African continent are signalling a significant rebellion against imperialist control due to the wider impact of the war on the global geopolitical landscape.

The war between the West and Russia on Ukrainian soil is still ongoing and its outcome is yet to be known. However, its effects are being felt on several fronts. The most important of these is the significant economic impact caused on the European continent, whose leaders have chosen to engage in a war without tangible benefits.

A notable consequence of the conflict is the emergence of a rebellion against long-standing US unilateral dominance of the world. This rebellion would not have taken root if Russian President Vladimir Putin has not courageously accepted the challenge and actively participated in the conflict that Washington had meticulously prepared for Moscow.

A key result of this shift is the public defiance of African countries against Western domination. These nations are raising their voices against decades of exploitation, resource depletion, abject poverty and rampant corruption left behind by the imperialist powers. The vast African continent, with a population of over one billion two hundred million people, has considerable natural resources, including 40% of the world’s gold reserves, 30% of various minerals, 90% of platinum and chromium, 12% of petroleum and 8% natural gas.

The region is undergoing significant political changes in response to the global turmoil. Military coups in the Sahel region of Africa, such as Guinea (2021), Mali (2021) and Burkina Faso (2022), brought military officers from the middle and poor classes to power. As a result, these newly formed governments announced their intention to create their own union, different from the one created in 1960.

France, which had a significant presence in Africa, was expelled from most countries after these military coups. Only Niger, which supplies 20% to 30% of France’s uranium needs, and Chad, where France has military bases, maintain a French military presence.

Last April, Chad expelled the German ambassador, Jean-Christian Gordon Crick, because he had criticized the head of state, General Mohamed Deby, son of Chad’s leader, Idriss Deby (who died fighting the rebels in 2021), for not holding elections in the country.

Neither France nor the United States of America took a stand against Chad for fear of losing their essential military bases in the country. However, the African popular classes welcomed the expulsion of the German ambassador. African popular classes in several Sahelian countries celebrated the departure of France, expressing their frustration with the rise of extremist movements, corruption, poverty and inequality, and the failure of the West to deal with these issues and to quell rebellions.

Pressure from the World Bank, which is saddling African countries with debt and is imposing austerity measures, has turned many African nations against foreign investors and multinationals. US-based Exxon Mobil and France’s Total have also faced opposition in Mozambique, where widespread rebellion has erupted over perceived unfair exploitation of the country’s second-largest natural gas field.

In response to Africa’s shifting alliances with Russia and China, the United States has increased its presence on the continent, establishing military bases and entering into negotiations with countries such as Zambia and Ghana to counter the growing Sino-Russian-African relationship. The United States is pressuring African leaders to cut ties with China and Russia. However, the St. Petersburg conference demonstrated Africa’s determination to diversify its options and seek independence from unilateral domination. African leaders believe that competition between the world’s superpowers is healthy and can bring better opportunities to the African continent.

At the second Russia-Africa Summit, which was attended by 49 of the 54 African countries, including 17 presidents, African leaders reaffirmed their quest for freedom of choice. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed them warmly and eased their concerns by offering free grain, fertilizer and vital financial facilities, mainly to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central Africa and Eritrea. Putin promised to deliver what Africa needed in terms of food at low prices and financial ease. The gesture was received with enthusiasm and sparked a new economic and political vision that emphasized Africa’s central role in the world.

The African authorities would not have gone to Russia in the midst of a fierce war between the country and the United States if President Putin had not dared to accept the Western challenge and stand firm in the face of the Western alliance. Russia has demonstrated that it is not afraid of a war being waged – as US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin put it – by top military officials from over 50 countries at the Ramstein base in Germany. Africa’s participation at the summit, including the presence of the Egyptian president, underscored the continent’s willingness to explore multiple options and to embrace China and Russia, despite Western calls to marginalize Russia. The presence of Egyptian President Adel Fattah el-Sisi shows how the Middle East is also diversifying its options, moving away from unilateral US dominance. In fact, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq have already decided to establish strong economic and trade ties with China and Russia, just one year after the war between the US and Russia in Ukraine. The Middle East and Africa are no longer under the domination of the US and the West.

Blessed with a third of the world’s mineral wealth and 65% of its arable land, Africa has long suffered from hunger, poverty, conflict and coups. However, with officials from Western, Russian and Chinese nations in attendance, the continent is witnessing a realignment of geopolitical and economic trends. This shift is challenging the Western influence that has dominated the continent for decades and is being accelerated by Africa’s growing ties with China.

The war between the US and Russia, fueled by the belief of dragging Russia into a destructive cycle, has inadvertently led to unintended consequences in other continents such as Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. These unintended consequences are undermining the hegemony of the United States and its allies, which are facing diminishing influence on the world stage.

During a crucial vote in the General Assembly in March last year, there was a significant shift in Africa’s position, which called for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine and an end to the war. A remarkable 31% of African countries were absent from the vote, 15% abstained and 1% voted against the resolution. This unprecedented stance has raised alarm bells among Western powers that have historically occupied and exploited Africa and exercised their influence over policy decisions on the continent. This newfound assertiveness came after Africa’s increased engagement with the world, especially China. It has been instrumental in developing more than 46 ports and land roads in Africa, connecting nations and linking them to the global economy. This transformation raised concerns in the West, which previously benefited from keeping Africa underdeveloped and dependent.

The impact of the ongoing war further underscore that the United States miscalculated in provoking Russia and underestimated the consequences on other continents, such as Africa, where regional dynamics have changed dramatically. As Africa and other regions, including the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, are experiencing unforeseen shifts in geopolitical alliances and economic trends, the influence of the United States and its allies continues to wane.

Africa’s bold moves to diversify its partnerships and assert its independence from unilateral domination is challenging the status quo and promote a new global balance of power. With a wealth of natural resources and a growing population, Africa is increasingly becoming a major player in international relations, attracting the attention of countries in conflict seeking to strengthen their position on the world stage.

As the war between the US and Russia continues to unfold, it is clear that the world is witnessing a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics. The rebellion against imperialist control that arose in Africa is just one example of the conflict’s unforeseen consequences. As Africa is signalling its willingness to explore diverse partnerships and challenge long-standing dominance, the global order is being reshaped, prompting countries to reassess their positions and realign their strategies.

As events are unfolding, the full extent of the war’s impact on Africa and the wider international community remains uncertain. But one thing is certain: the war between the US and Russia is contributing to a tectonic shift in global geopolitics, with Africa at the forefront of asserting its independence and defining its destiny. The continent’s growing influence and evolving alliances could redefine the post-Cold War balance of power and impact international relations. Africa is opposing unilateral domination amidst global geopolitical shifts [end]

The original article

Elijah J Magnier is a veteran war correspondent and senior political risk analyst with over 35 years of experience

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