The Sahel region, stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, is currently grappling with mounting security issues and growing anti-Western sentiment. Amid these challenges, China has identified a strategic opportunity to expand its influence. Recently, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited countries like Chad and Nigeria, offering military assistance and support to countries facing insurgencies and instability.
Wang’s visit was particularly significant in the context of rising tensions between France and its former African colonies. Following the withdrawal of French troops from countries like Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso, China has been positioning itself as a more favorable partner, distancing itself from the colonial history that weighs on France’s relations in the region. With the growing sentiment against Western powers, especially France, China is stepping in to offer security partnerships.
Wang Yi’s promises during his trip included the training of thousands of troops and police officers across Africa, alongside a pledge of $136 million in military aid to Sahel nations. This is part of a broader Chinese effort to bolster its military diplomacy in Africa, a shift from its earlier focus on economic and diplomatic ties. China is also rapidly becoming the top arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing Russia.
Countries like Nigeria and Chad, struggling with insurgencies, are turning to China for defense assistance as they look to diversify their security partnerships. Chinese arms and training programs present an attractive alternative, especially given the challenges some African nations have faced in securing Western military aid due to issues like human rights concerns.
The recent attack on Chad’s presidential compound during Wang Yi’s visit highlighted the region’s instability and the growing role China is playing in securing African nations. With increasing demands for defense support, China’s presence in Africa is likely to expand, offering both military aid and high-end security equipment to the region’s volatile states.
China’s approach to Africa is framed by its Global Security Initiative (GSI), which offers military cooperation without direct intervention. The GSI aims to create a security framework based on mutual interests rather than imposing external influences. China’s position is notably anti-interventionist, preferring to provide training and equipment without committing to a more active military role.
Despite the risks of being seen as opportunistic, China’s engagement in the Sahel could prove beneficial to both China and the region. By positioning itself as a partner that respects African sovereignty and offers practical solutions, China is gaining a foothold in a region that has long been dominated by Western powers.
