Jendayi Frazer on U.S.-China Geopolitical Competition in Africa
Aug 1, 2024
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Jendayi Frazer, a leading expert on U.S.-China relations and former assistant secretary of state, discusses the critical need for the U.S. to enhance its focus on Africa in the face of China's growing influence. She highlights the shortcomings of current U.S.-Africa relations and the complexities of competition with China. Frazer emphasizes the importance of understanding African perspectives, enhancing governance, and fostering direct relationships with key African nations for effective engagement. The conversation reveals the urgent call for a transformative strategy in U.S. foreign policy.
Jendayi Frazer highlights the need for a coherent U.S. strategy towards Africa that moves beyond mere geopolitical competition with China.
The podcast discusses potential collaboration between the U.S. and China on stability in Africa, emphasizing shared interests in peace and development.
Deep dives
The Current State of US-Africa Relations
US-Africa relations are described as weak and lacking engagement, with concerns about the US administration's focus being diverted to other global issues like the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. The Biden administration's shift from a countering China strategy to promoting partnership opportunities has not translated into substantial actions on the ground. Many stakeholders in Washington expressed uncertainty regarding the clear objectives of US-Africa policy beyond mere competition with China. The podcast highlights the need for a more coherent strategy that prioritizes high-level engagement with African institutions and countries.
Balancing Values and Interests
There's an ongoing tension in the US approach to Africa, where values-driven foreign policy often overshadows practical engagements. The discussion reflects on how the US sometimes prioritizes human rights issues at the expense of broader bilateral relationships, undermining trade and economic partnerships. The podcast points to examples like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), criticizing the tendency to use it as leverage against countries over single issues. This highlights a misalignment in expectations between the US and African nations regarding diplomatic relations and cooperation.
The Need for a New Framework
The podcast emphasizes the necessity for the US to develop a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of Africa beyond its geopolitical competition with China. Participants argue that the US must focus on building direct relationships with African nations and understanding their unique contexts rather than applying a one-size-fits-all policy. This approach would require acknowledging Africa's diverse needs and fostering genuine partnerships that respect sovereignty. The conversation reveals a pressing need for the US to adapt its strategies to reflect the dynamic realities of African nations and their development aspirations.
Opportunities for Cooperation
Despite the competitive landscape, there is potential for collaboration between the US and China regarding stability in Africa. The podcast illustrates that both nations share common interests in regions experiencing conflict and instability, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. The notion is that rather than competing, the US and China could work together on mutual goals to enhance peace and development in Africa. This perspective underlines the importance of establishing cooperative frameworks that involve African nations as primary stakeholders in addressing their challenges.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week on what the U.S. needs to do to better compete with China in Africa and other developing regions. Campbell bluntly told senators Washington "has to do better" to match Chinese finance, trade, and military engagement around the world.
But the problem for Campbell and other U.S. stakeholders is that it's been difficult to define what success looks like in their bid to out-compete China.
Jendayi Frazer, a distinguished visiting fellow at Hoover Institution and adjunct senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, is one of Washington's foremost experts on U.S. foreign policy towards Africa. She speaks from firsthand experience as a former assistant secretary of state and joins CGSP Africa Editor Géraud Neema to explain why it's critical for the U.S. to devote more attention to Africa.
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