In the complex and intricate landscape of global geopolitics, Africa stands as a pivotal region where the collaborative efforts of world powers are essential for fostering stability. It is undoubtedly, a critical continent for regional and global security, and where world powers converge and compete. On Monday, July 29, 2024, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee published his latest report, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: A Review of U.S.-Europe Cooperation on China, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a unified transatlantic approach to the continent.
Building upon his 2020 analysis, this update paints a concerning picture of escalating violence, growing instability, and the increasing influence of China and Russia across African countries. While the report offers a critique of current policies, it also presents an opportunity to reassess and reinvigorate U.S.-Europe cooperation in Africa.
The Report’s Author: A Senatorial Powerhouse Shaping America’s Global Engagement
The author of this critical report, Senator James Risch, is a key figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy. A Republican from Idaho, Risch currently holds the position of ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 118th U.S. Congress. This role places him at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts, granting him substantial influence in drafting legislation, scrutinizing administration policies, and addressing global challenges.
As the top Republican on the committee, Risch’s perspectives on international relations carry significant weight. His leadership extends across crucial areas such as diplomacy, international trade, and national security, directly impacting U.S. relations with Europe, Africa, and beyond. This latest report, not only reflects Senator Risch’s views but also provides insight into the broader Republican stance on U.S.-Europe cooperation and engagement with Africa.
“In November 2020, I published a report on the importance of the United States and our European partners working together to counter an increasingly confrontational China. Nearly four years later, China’s efforts to undermine prosperity, security, and good governance in every region of the globe continue to be what I consider the most important foreign policy challenge of our time,” said ranking member Risch, in last Monday’s press statement. The report carries a list of people and entities who were designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for corruption from December 1, 2020, and September 30, 2023.
The Report’s Assessment
The report’s sixth chapter focuses on Africa, highlighting a perceived lack of coordinated efforts between the United States and European countries in addressing Africa’s multifaceted challenges. This disunity, according to Senator Risch, has created a vacuum swiftly filled by competitors with divergent interests. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s military engagements in countries like the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali exemplify this trend, often accompanied by increased militarization and exacerbation of local conflicts. It has been widely reported that African countries are increasingly deepening their relationships with America’s strategic rivals, particularly Russia. For example, various media outlets have previously reported that Cameroon signed a military deal with Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, while media outlets reported on Ethiopia’s expressed solidarity with Russia. Other popular media reports published on Mali receiving new military equipment from Russia. Additionally, Mozambique is characterized by Russian officials as a “reliable partner,” and Zimbabwe has entered into new agreements and is strengthening its bilateral ties with Russia. The Kremlin’s influence is expanding across the continent, with growing ties in the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, and other countries, reflecting a broader trend of African countries strengthening their strategic partnerships with Russia.
The implications of this geopolitical shift are profound and far-reaching. Democratic institutions, already fragile in many African countries, face further erosion as authoritarian regimes extend their influence. China’s economic strategies, characterized by some as predatory lending and exploitative practices, threaten to saddle countries with insurmountable debt while depleting natural resources. Simultaneously, the influx of foreign military support, particularly from Russia, has intensified existing conflicts and created new flashpoints of instability.
The Sahel region stands as a poignant example of the consequences of insufficient international support. Here, the expansion of jihadist groups has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, underscoring the dire need for a cohesive counter-terrorism strategy. The Risch report argues that the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies, while articulating a comprehensive Africa strategy, have fallen short in prioritizing the continent and addressing these escalating threats.
However, it is crucial to note that the challenges facing Africa are not solely the result of current administration policies. They are the culmination of decades of complex international relations, economic disparities, historical legacies, governance issues, corruption, among others. The report’s critique serves as a call to action for a renewed, bipartisan approach to U.S.-Africa relations, one that recognizes the continent’s strategic importance and the need for sustainable, long-term engagement.
To address these multifaceted challenges, Senator Risch proposes a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing U.S.-Europe cooperation in Africa. Central to these proposals is the establishment of a high-level transatlantic task force dedicated to African affairs. This body would serve as a cornerstone for policy coordination, ensuring that Western democracies present a united front against authoritarian influences.
The report also emphasizes the critical need to bolster support for democratic institutions across the continent. This would involve not only targeted aid and capacity-building programs but also a renewed commitment to diplomatic engagement that prioritizes good governance and human rights. Such an approach would offer a clear alternative to the often strings-free support provided by China and Russia.
On the economic front, the development of sustainable partnerships that offer viable alternatives to Chinese investments is paramount. These initiatives should focus on fair trade practices, responsible infrastructure development, and mechanisms for debt relief. By providing African countiress with options that prioritize long-term prosperity over short-term gains, the U.S. and Europe can help foster economic resilience and reduce vulnerability to external manipulation.
Security cooperation emerges as critical area for improvement. Senator Risch’s 2024 report advocates for enhanced joint initiatives to address terrorism, organized crime, and insurgencies. This would involve increased intelligence sharing, coordinated military assistance, and joint training programs designed to build local capacity for maintaining peace and stability.
The Current State of Violence
The urgency of renewed transatlantic cooperation is underscored by the escalating security challenges across the continent:
- In the Sahel, ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliated groups have expanded their operations, creating severe humanitarian crises. The fall of Mali to Russian-backed forces has further destabilized the region.
- Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced renewed violence with the resurgence of ISIS-DRC, while the M23 armed group, backed by regional actors, has been resilient, both groups displacing thousands and threatening regional stability.
- Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat in Somalia and neighboring countries, despite concerted efforts to counter its influence.
- Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado grapples with an ISIS-affiliated insurgency, threatening major natural gas projects and regional security.
These conflicts not only cause immense human suffering but also create power vacuums that competitors are swift to exploit.
As the global community grapples with shifting power dynamics, the importance of Africa in shaping the future world order cannot be overstated. Senator Risch’s report is indeed a clarion call for renewed engagement and cooperation between the U.S. and Europe in their approach to the continent. It underscores the urgent need for a strategy that not only counters the growing influence of China and Russia but also promotes a vision of partnership that respects African sovereignty and aspirations.
Crucially, any renewed transatlantic approach must prioritize African agency and perspectives. African leaders and civil society organizations have long called for partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests, rather than external interventions driven by great power competition.
The path forward requires nuanced diplomacy, sustained commitment, and a willingness to adapt strategies to the diverse and evolving needs of African countries. By addressing the shortcomings identified in the report and implementing a coordinated, comprehensive approach, the U.S. and Europe have the opportunity to foster stability, promote democratic values, and contribute to a more prosperous future for Africa.
Earlier this year—in February—Risch was advocating for, and continues to address, the crisis in Sudan. Highlighting his commitment to humanitarian intervention, Risch urged the international community to act decisively against the escalating genocide in Darfur. Reflecting on Congress’s historic acknowledgment of the Darfur genocide, Risch made statements stressing the urgent need for renewed action to confront the violence inflicted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias on non-Arab ethnic groups. His leadership and call for bipartisan support emphasize a strong and unified response to the ongoing atrocities in the region.
As we stand at this critical juncture, the choices made today will reverberate for generations to come. The challenge laid out by Senator Risch’s report is clear: Will the transatlantic alliance rise to meet the complex challenges facing Africa, or will little action or inaction allow others to shape the continent’s future? The answer to this question will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.
In this context, Senator Risch’s report serves not as a final word, but as a crucial starting point for renewed dialogue and action. It challenges policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic to move beyond rhetoric and toward concrete, coordinated efforts that recognize Africa’s pivotal role in global affairs. The success of these efforts will depend not only on the resolve of Western democracies but also on their ability to engage with African partners in a spirit of true collaboration and mutual respect that includes African perspectives and agency.
