A panel discussion was organized by TRENDS Research and Advisory that explored the future of strategic transformations in Africa. Key transformations include notable international engagement in African issues, the rise of new regional powers, the resurgence of military coups, and the repositioning of international powers in Africa.
Following the panel, TRENDS launched the Visual identity of its virtual office in Cairo, which is part of TRENDS’ series of external offices. The Cairo Office will support the head office with specialized research and studies, work on expanding the base of TRENDS’ strategic partners, and serve as an effective link between TRENDS and regional research institutions.
During the panel discussion, moderated by Mohammed Al-Salmi, Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS, it was highlighted that Africa has become an important element in international interactions due to its diverse economic resources, its voting power in international organizations, the size of its strategic partnerships with regional and international powers, and the inclusion of the African Union Commission in the G20.
Dominance of the Western perspective
Mohammed Al-Salmi, Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS, said that Africa is experiencing a series of strategic transformations, including in terms of internal interactions, the rise of internal powers and the involvement of regional and international forces. However, the fundamental problem for Africa lies in the dominance of the Western perspective on analyses and news related to the continent. Therefore, an independent view of the developments and transformations in Africa must be adopted.
He mentioned that the panel discussed a number of these strategic transformations occurring in the continent, including notable international engagement in African issues, the rise of several new regional powers, particularly Kenya, Senegal and Ethiopia, as well as the resurgence of military coups, the repositioning of international powers in Africa, and the Gulf’s openness to Africa.
Contemporary international interactions
Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS’ Cairo Office and an expert in African affairs, underlined that Africa has, in recent years, become an important element in contemporary international interactions due to its diverse economic resources, notably uranium, minerals and oil. Additionally, the continent’s voting power in international organizations and the size of its strategic partnerships with regional and international powers, including the US, Russia, China, Japan, India and South Korea, has maximized its importance.
Qarni pointed out that one of the most significant strategic transformations in the continent is the repositioning of Russia in West and Central Africa, primarily through military and political support. He explained that Russia is seeking to establish a foothold in the continent, which has been evident in the strengthening of its relations with many African countries, while benefitting from certain international and regional developments and circumstances.
Internal structural imbalances
Qarni said that the African Union suffers from internal structural imbalances, particularly in terms of funding, as only five countries finance the African budget. He added that the Libyan file remains one of the most complex issues in the African continent and is a model of a proxy war, as many major and regional powers have a presence and influence in Libya. The Russians have started to change their strategy in Libya by replacing the Wagner Group with the Russian Corps.
Dominance of the Western perspective
Mohammed Al-Salmi, Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS, said that Africa is experiencing a series of strategic transformations, including in terms of internal interactions, the rise of internal powers and the involvement of regional and international forces. However, the fundamental problem for Africa lies in the dominance of the Western perspective on analyses and news related to the continent. Therefore, an independent view of the developments and transformations in Africa must be adopted.
He mentioned that the panel discussed a number of these strategic transformations occurring in the continent, including notable international engagement in African issues, the rise of several new regional powers, particularly Kenya, Senegal and Ethiopia, as well as the resurgence of military coups, the repositioning of international powers in Africa, and the Gulf’s openness to Africa.
Contemporary international interactions
Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS’ Cairo Office and an expert in African affairs, underlined that Africa has, in recent years, become an important element in contemporary international interactions due to its diverse economic resources, notably uranium, minerals and oil. Additionally, the continent’s voting power in international organizations and the size of its strategic partnerships with regional and international powers, including the US, Russia, China, Japan, India and South Korea, has maximized its importance.
Qarni pointed out that one of the most significant strategic transformations in the continent is the repositioning of Russia in West and Central Africa, primarily through military and political support. He explained that Russia is seeking to establish a foothold in the continent, which has been evident in the strengthening of its relations with many African countries, while benefitting from certain international and regional developments and circumstances.
Internal structural imbalances
Qarni said that the African Union suffers from internal structural imbalances, particularly in terms of funding, as only five countries finance the African budget. He added that the Libyan file remains one of the most complex issues in the African continent and is a model of a proxy war, as many major and regional powers have a presence and influence in Libya. The Russians have started to change their strategy in Libya by replacing the Wagner Group with the Russian Corps.
