AFST 466 Politics of War in
Africa
Course Description
• This is a seminar style course that introduces students to the
dynamics of violent conflicts in Africa. Using an interdisciplinary
approach, this course will examine the underlying factors that
influence conflicts in Africa. Key analyses from historical, social,
economical, political and cultural studies will be used in examining the
causes of and responses to inter-state and intra-state conflicts in
Africa.
• Furthermore, this course will explore the role of China in peace
making and building in Africa.
• As a seminar students will be required to engage in critical analysis
and debates, using historic and contemporary case studies.
Course Objectives
• Understanding African politics and governance.
• Understanding
African
conflicts
using
an
interdisciplinary approach.
• Understanding the role of China in peace making
and building in Africa.
Historical Relationship between
China & Africa
• Explore the historical ties between Africa and China
– The absence of colonial ties to and China’s support for
African liberation movements played a pivotal role in
developing the relationship between the two entities.
• Sino–African relations during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
• Expeditions that reached the East African coast under the
command of Admiral Zheng He (1405–1433).
• Bandung Conference in 1955, that established the Five Principles of
Peaceful Co‐existence
– Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
– Mutual non‐aggression
– Mutual non‐interference at each other’s internal affairs
– Equality and mutual benefit
– Peaceful co‐existence
Chinese Government Issues
African Policy Paper
• Peace and security
•
Military cooperation
• China will promote high-level military exchanges between the two sides and
actively carry out military-related technological exchanges and cooperation. It will
continue to help train African military personnel and support defense and army
building of African countries for their own security.
•
Conflict settlement and peacekeeping operations
• China supports the positive efforts by the AU and other African regional
organizations and African countries concerned to settle regional conflicts and will
provide assistance within our own capacity. It will urge the UN Security Council to
pay attention to and help resolve regional conflicts in Africa. It will continue its
support to and participation in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa.
Peace Keeping Operations
• PLA’s active role in UN peacekeeping operations
and humanitarian aid in Africa
– Chinese peacekeepers, deployed in Western Sahara,
Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic
of Congo.
Peace Making
• Sino-Africa’s military cooperation based on the five principles of
peaceful coexistence.
– Non-imposition of China’s social system, ideology or values on any
African country.
– energy and economic cooperation between China and Africa is based
on equality, reciprocity and complementarity.
– Preferential loans to African countries.
– Sino-African cooperation is aimed at maintaining and boosting both
sides' interests.
– Sino-African military relations will strengthen their new strategic
partnership.