AFRICA: THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA COURT THE CONTINENT

The United States and China are the two most important bilateral,

external actors in Africa today. While the United States wields more influence in most of Africa's fifty-three countries, China has surpassed it in a number of states and is challenging it in others. Both countries look to Africa as an increasingly significant source of raw materials, especially oil. China, more than the United States, views Africa from a long-term strategic perspective. Both countries seek political and economic support in international forums from African countries, which constitute more than a quarter of the membership of the United Nations. The interests of the United States and China in Africa are more similar than dissimilar. There will inevitably be some competition over access to African natural resources and political support, but there are even greater opportunities for cooperation that can benefit African nations.

While this analysis looks only at the role of China and the United States in Africa, it is important to keep in mind that there has been a recent expansion of interest in the continent by a number of other countries. Following the end of the Cold War, attention by Western nations, especially the former colonial powers, tapered off and has only recently returned. The collapse of the Soviet Union resulted in a significant decrease in engagement on the continent by the former communist bloc countries, although Russia has in the past two years shown renewed interest in Africa. Japan and South Korea have maintained their economic links. The major change, however, has been increased engagement in the past decade by China, India, Brazil, several Arab gulf states, Iran and most recently Turkey. Although the global economic crisis may slow down some of this new attention, the playing field in Africa has become more crowded. In addition, the relationships have changed from efforts to obtain political influence by opposing sides during the Cold War to a post-Cold War emphasis by all outside actors on developing stronger economic and commercial ties with Africa.