In an atmosphere of international polarization, Africa has become a focus of competition between the major powers, and after neglect and marginalization, the countries of the brown continent have become a pilgrimage site for leaders and senior officials from the United States, Russia, China and others, as they offer projects for cooperation within the framework of a struggle for influence that extends to parts of the continent and its eyes on its pristine wealth.

In this regard, the program “The Story Remains” (13/3/2023) asked the following questions: What are the dimensions of this conflict and its strategic objectives?

And how do African countries see their position from it and its repercussions?

And to what extent can it achieve a balance between the interests of its people and external pressures?

The program also broadcast a special meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco, whose country suffered from a civil war that lasted nearly 3 decades, and was one of the signs of international polarization during the Cold War, to turn in recent years to cooperation with China, Brazil and others.

He discussed with the Angolan president his vision of concerns about relations with China and Russia, and extrapolation of possible opportunities for African countries due to international competition on their continent, and the possibilities of this competition turning into a conflict between the major powers.

To talk about the issue of international competition on the African continent, the program asked Lourenco about how his country defines its international relations with the Western camp represented by the United States and the European Union, and other international powers such as Russia, China and others.

In this regard, the Angolan president made it clear that his country enjoys good relations with almost every country in the world. Angola has good relations with China and other powers such as Russia, Turkey and India, and its foreign policy is very open, and it also has excellent relations with the United States of America.

He also stressed that African countries belong to Africans only, considering that it is wrong for China and Russia to treat Africa as a continent belonging to them.

one-third of the world's wealth

It is noteworthy that the brown continent possesses about a third of the world's mineral wealth, and 65% of the arable land in the world, and despite these riches, its people suffer the worst rates of poverty, as well as bloody conflicts and conflicts.

In recent months, it has become a focus of international interest and competition. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many of its countries visited, including the French President, the German Chancellor, and the foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, and China.

Late last year, an African-American summit was held in Washington.

In its story, the program interviewed American, Russian and Chinese experts about the motives of their countries in moving to Africa, the political and economic importance of the continent, and the mutual concerns between them. The program team also spoke to African officials and politicians about the reasons for preferring to resort to China to develop infrastructure in their countries compared to Western countries.

On June 24, it was the first tour of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Africa since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, followed by a tour of the US Secretary of State, which revealed a growing struggle for influence in the brown continent.