China’s Gradual but Growing Security Influence in Africa

China is steadily expanding its security presence in Africa through deeper military ties, weapons sales, and multinational deployments as UN Peacekeepers. In fact, China is now the largest arms supplier to Sub-Saharan Africa, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

There are also mounting concerns over the protection of Chinese personnel on the continent who have been regular targets of kidnapping and ransom by bandits in the DRC, Nigeria, and South Africa, among other countries.

Lungani Hlongwa, editor of the China-Africa Security Radar on Substack, joins Eric & Cobus to discuss why African militaries are increasingly turning to China and away from traditional partners in the U.S. and Europe.

SHOW NOTES:

• Subscribe to The China-Africa Security Radar: https://cafradar.substack.com/
• Politico: Pentagon plan prioritizes homeland over China threat by Paul McLeary and Daniel Lippman
• The China-Global South Project: Q&A: China’s ‘Feeling the Stones’ Approach to African Security Takes Shape

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