Peace through prevention: practical steps for deepening China-Africa security co-operation

Thomas Wheeler

doi:10.7552/0-3-111

Abstract

Highlighted at the last Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) as one of five key areas for deepening co-operation, African peace and security has moved up the Sino-Africa agenda. This has been in parallel to, and as a consequence of, the maturing of relations. African actors - most notably states and regional organisations - will have considerable influence over defining the future shape and direction of Chinese engagement on this agenda. Nonetheless, Chinese policy-makers still have important choices to make. While examining why matters of African peace and security are of increasing importance to them, this paper also identifies some of the existing obstacles to deepening engagement. Arguing that an approach rooted in the principles of conflict prevention could prove both practical and effective, the paper identifies three policy areas that merit consideration by Beijing. First, it explores the diplomatic measures China could take to help mediate disputes and crises, as well as why a broadening of diplomatic relations within African countries may be required. Second, the paper draws attention to the need for China to support African efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms whilst critically examining the end-use of Chinese-made weapons. Third, China’s economic co-operation with post-conflict African countries is identified as a means to prevent relapses into violence if it the principles of conflict sensitivity are adopted in what are especially fragile and difficult environments.

Highlights

The underlying foundations of contemporary China-Africa relations – economic co-operation – continue to deepen with trade and investment figures growing by the year1
Chinese official development aid is potentially evolving into new modalities (Saferworld, 2012) while aid directly from Chinese NGOs will likely become more visible on the continent2
As is inevitable in any relationship, the political honeymoon looks set to end: African civil society and opposition leaders have vocally scrutinised some practices of Chinese engagement, the nuts and bolts of day-to-day relations have generated conflicts of interest and the belief that China’s approach would fundamentally differ from that of others has been checked by reality

Summary

Introduction

The underlying foundations of contemporary China-Africa relations – economic co-operation – continue to deepen with trade and investment figures growing by the year. While perhaps not welcomed by those Chinese and African diplomats who are forced to revise their rosy rhetoric of the past, these problems are a healthy part of maturing relations and progressive change Another healthy sign is the increasing attention that Chinese officials, companies and researchers are paying to the reality of conflict and insecurity in Africa, how it. This article examines several options for Chinese policy in this regard It reflects the outcomes of Saferworld's own field research, alongside numerous consultations and engagement with a wide range of African and Chinese officials, NGOs, academics and think-tanks over the past four years. It explores some of the reasons why African peace and security has moved up the Chinese foreign policy agenda. The article explores three policy areas where deeper China-Africa co-operation would be both practical and effective in preventing conflict: diplomacy, arms control and conflict-sensitive economic co-operation

China and African insecurity

Combating illegal small arms

Findings

Conclusion