It may not say so, but US sees Africa as a growing military competition with China and Russia

The continent isn’t prominently discussed in the new US national security strategy, but military analysts say it is increasing in significance as a theatre of operations

China and Russia have both developed strong ties across the continent, Beijing as its largest trading partner, Moscow as its largest arms dealer

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China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 15 Oct 2022Updated: 2:54pm, 15 Oct 2022

When US President Joe Biden released his national security strategy on Wednesday, the report did not mention Africa much – one brief discussion near the end on building “US-Africa partnerships” and a handful of other mentions scattered across the document’s 48 pages.

However, military analysts say the continent is not only on the US radar but is a major arena of competition with China and Russia.

US President Joe Biden released his administration’s National Security Strategy on Wednesday. Photo: AP

The main thrust of the strategy continues a theme Biden has sounded since taking office last year: the US will focus on competing with China and containing Russia.

In Africa, Beijing has become the single largest trading partner and built mega infrastructure projects through its Belt and Road Initiative, while Moscow is the largest military arms supplier and its companies have invested heavily in the continent’s extractive industries.

“China and Russia understand very well Africa’s strategic significance,” Major General Todd Wasmund, commander of the US Southern European Task Force, Africa, told a discussion at the Association of the US Army’s annual conference on Monday.

“As the Army refocuses on China – our pacing challenge – as well as the acute threat posed by Russia, it’s important to recognise that both countries are actively competing in Africa.”