Published on: 07.08.2022 – 20:42
US chief of diplomacy Antony Blinken is in South Africa to begin his second trip to Africa. A tour to reconnect with the continent to finally turn the Trump side and balance the influence of Russia and China.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargeles
After a visit to a site commemorating the riots in Soweto on Sunday, the bulk of the visit will begin on Monday: the Foreign Secretary is expected to deliver a keynote address at the University of Pretoria and meet his South African counterpart, Minister Naledi, with Pandor to discuss the ” strategic dialogues” between the two countries.
While these talks have been held regularly in the past, they have ceased to exist under the presidency of Donald Trump, who took little interest in relations with Africa. It appears, therefore, that the Biden administration wants to start on the right foot with one of its allies on the continent.
But the two nations do not always agree diplomatically, particularly on the front lines of the war in Ukraine that will be discussed. The rainbow nation, which is part of the BRICS, has consistently refused to condemn Russia, preferring a neutral position.
It will also be about economic exchange, as the United States is South Africa’s third largest trading partner – behind China and Germany – and one of the main sources of international tourists for the country.
Finally, on the occasion of this dialogue, Antony Blinken should also present the United States’ “new strategy for Africa”, which aims to strengthen Washington’s influence over rival powers without turning countries of the continent into pawns on the political chessboard.
Why is Blinken starting his African tour in South Africa?
Since Jacob Zuma’s presidency, South Africa has “come a little closer to China and Russia,” recalls Bob Wekesa, deputy director of the African Center for American Studies based in Johannesburg. The country still maintains good relations with the Western powers, but is an “ally of the BRICS countries,” emphasizes the researcher, who “believes that American advisers are trying to redefine and revitalize relations”. South Africa’s position after the invasion of Ukraine is a good example.
As for America’s new strategy towards Africa, “its unveiling has been delayed and when the announcement is finally made here, in South Africa, there is no doubt that the country will be used as a platform for this strategy to be heard across the continent.” said Bob Wekesa.
An analysis by Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Relations. In his opinion, choosing South Africa as a first step is indeed due to a desire to turn the side of the Trump administration and balance the influence of other countries.
Trump wasn’t very interested in Africa. Until then, strategic dialogues between South Africa and the United States were regularly organized more or less annually, but not since 2015. However, South Africa is still considered one of the most important countries on the continent. This is why Foreign Minister Bliken’s trip to Africa begins here before continuing to two other countries. Not to mention that South Africa has taken a rather neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and refuses to publicly condemn Russia. We can therefore assume that this question will be part of the exchange, but it is really not certain whether Minister Blinken will be able to change the country’s mind. Russia is a key strategic partner, as is China, South Africa’s largest trading partner, and as such will not change its position.
Analyst Steven Gruzd from the South African Institute of International Relations
Antony Blinken will then continue his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the middle of the week, where he is due to speak about the problems of insecurity in the east of the country. Themes that should accompany him until the end of his tour, which ends in Rwanda, where the fate of Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of the film Hotel Rwanda, is also addressed. In these two countries, discussions should also focus on the fight against global warming, food insecurity and pandemics.