Does the re-emergence of China onto the African stage herald an upsurge in its participation in the continent’s development and security? This new and uncertain situation has certainly not relegated France and the European Union to a mere outmoded and historic role, especially in the security field. Michèle Alliot-Marie, then Minister of Defence, officially suggested on 20 June 2006, when welcoming UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, that France was ready to provide aid for the formation of an African Gendarmerie Force, in liaison with the RECAMP programme, taking as a model the European Gendarmerie Force that is now operational. Such a goal must be implemented at a regional level and in the wake of the African Standby Forces (ASF), and in parallel with the peacekeeping architecture that is being created in Africa.
The Case for the Creation of African Gendarmerie Forces
In 2006 China was Africa’s second largest trading partner, behind France. Its primary aims are now the quest for the resources it needs to sustain its development, outlets for its activities and increasing diplomatic and political influence. We should be in no doubt that China, willingly or unwillingly and for the same motives that drive the international community in general, will become increasingly involved in political matters–the promotion of peace and reconstruction across the continent–because there can be no development without security. The European Union (EU) has resources and capabilities, not only in the aid and development fields where it is one of the major financial backers, but also in the security domain.
Chinese Peace Support Objectives in Africa
Africa is clearly being courted not only by emergent nations (China, India) but also by those who seek its support for the UN reform that could enable them to obtain a permanent seat on the Security Council (Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Morocco, Iran, Venezuela, etc.). The summit of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum held in Beijing between 3 and 5 November 2006, at which the doubling of aid to the continent was announced, along with a series of visits by Chinese President Hu Jintao in February 2007, based on a ‘win-win’ strategy, are eloquent examples of this. The Chinese commitment to Africa is likely to seek a balance between its vital interests that are driving it to exploit the continent’s raw materials, the desire by Africans not to experience another colonisation and the partnership rules that are generally accepted by the international community (debt relief, progress on human rights and democracy, good governance, etc.). There are good reasons to believe that China will become further involved in military peacekeeping operations in Africa with a view to gaining political legitimacy as well as diplomatic and economic advantages.
China’s publication in January 2006 of its ‘Strategy on African policy’ merits attention, especially the section on military cooperation, conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations. This strategy implies a clear desire to gain diplomatic ascendancy.(1)
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