The U.S. government-sponsored meeting with African leaders for the first time in eight years began in Washington, D.C. on the 13th. The idea is to counter the

On the 13th, the first day of the America-Africa Summit, which will be held over a three-day schedule to which the leaders of about 50 African countries were invited, a session on regional peace and security was held.



Among them, Secretary of Defense Austin of the United States criticized that China is deepening economic involvement in Africa in an opaque manner and Russia is exporting cheap weapons, ``destabilizing the region.'' Did.



The summit meeting with Africa hosted by the US government is the first in eight years. It is expected to show the idea of ​​supporting the African Union's G20 = membership of 20 major countries.



As China and Russia increase their influence in Africa, which is also attracting attention as a huge market, the United States wants to show its presence and counter it.

Africa Focus on population growth and market potential

One of the reasons Africa is attracting attention is its rapid population growth and its market potential.



According to United Nations estimates, Africa's population will exceed 2.4 billion by 2050, and one in four people in the world's population is expected to be African.



In addition, the average age is young compared to the world as a whole, so it is attracting the attention of each country as a huge market with rich future potential.



In August this year, the TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) Summit Meeting, which has been held regularly by Japan since 1993, was held in Tunisia in North Africa. We have set out to strengthen the relationship to grow together through the strengthening of



On the other hand, since 2000, China has also regularly held international conferences with African countries called the "Forum for China-Africa Cooperation", and has continued to build infrastructure and provide huge loans under the "One Belt, One Road" concept of a huge economic zone. strengthening the ties of



In addition, Russia is also expanding its influence through resource development, weapon exports, and military training, and in 2019, it invited the leaders of African countries to open the `` Russia-Africa Economic Forum ''.



Furthermore, as conflict with Europe and the United States has deepened following the military invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations has placed more emphasis on its relationship with Africa, which accounts for nearly 30% of the member states of the United Nations. Many African countries abstained from voting on the resolution, and this was seen as a consideration for Russia.



On the other hand, in August this year, the United States compiled a new diplomatic strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, making it clear that it would oppose both China and Russia, and at this conference, it plans to strengthen relations with African countries. It seems.

Economic ties with China continue to deepen in Africa

In 2009, China surpassed the United States to become the largest trading partner for sub-Saharan countries in Africa, and since then economic ties with China have continued to deepen through exports of resources and imports of goods.



Of these, South Africa, the largest industrial country in Africa, also has China as its largest trading partner, and many Chinese companies are operating there.



More than 70 Chinese companies participated in an exhibition held earlier this month in Johannesburg, the largest city, to promote Chinese machinery and other products.



As a countermeasure against the new coronavirus infection in China, the person in charge of the Chinese company participated online and had business talks with the African side.



A sales manager of a company in Shandong Province said, "South Africa is part of China's huge economic zone concept One Belt One Road. It is an important country with many mineral resources."



On the other hand, a businessman from the African side said, "Chinese-made machines are indispensable for mining development. We trust China."



Also, a local South African politician who was visiting the venue said, "China's economic development in a short period of time and the improvement of poverty problems is a model," indicating that he sees the strengthening of relations with China positively. I heard.

Russia seeks to expand its influence in Africa

In Africa, where Russia is trying to expand its influence, many countries have abstained from voting on a draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly criticizing Russia over the situation in Ukraine.



Of these, Namibia in Southwest Africa has repeatedly abstained from voting on resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and invalidating Russia's attempts to annex eastern and southern Ukraine. It has drawn a line between Japan and the West, which criticize Russia.



In the background, it is pointed out that there is a historical connection that the forces that fought for liberation from colonial rule received military support from the Soviet Union at the time.



On the 2nd of last month, Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Namibia Nikitin paid a courtesy call on President Geingov and handed over an invitation from President Putin to the summit of Russia and African countries scheduled to be held next year.



During the meeting, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Nikitin said, "Namibia is an old friend," based on the support from the former Soviet era. I want to."



In response, President Geingob said, "I was under pressure, but I am grateful to Russia, so I abstained." I explained that I was taken into consideration.



Regarding the Namibian government's response, Ndumba Kamwaniya, a political scientist at the University of Namibia, said, ``There is a sense of distrust in Namibia from the West due to its history of colonial rule, and this has led to a pro-Russian stance on the situation in Ukraine.'' pointing out.



On the other hand, in Namibia, the price of fuel soared after the military invasion, and the impact spread, such as the suspension of service at some gas stations in the capital Windhoek due to a supply shortage.



In response to this situation, the local newspaper reports that Russia has proposed to supply fuel to Namibia.



Mr. Kamwaniya analyzes that ``Namibia's diplomatic stance is not only based on historical ties, but also on the strategy of receiving oil and other assistance from Russia.''