African International Relations Notes

African international relations can be understood through the lens of dependency theory.
Dependency Theory: The core (wealthy, developed countries) develops at the expense of the periphery (developing countries), essentially a form of neocolonialism.
Core: Wealthy developed countries such as the US, UK, and France (G7 nations, many of which were former colonial powers).
Periphery: Developing countries such as China, India, and most African nations (many of which were formerly colonized).

The modern world-system is divided into three tiers:

G7 Nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.
Global Economy (2016): $74.2 trillion.
World Population (2016): $7.323$ billion.
G7 Combined Economy: $33.93$ trillion (39% of global wealth with 10% of the world population).
European Union Combined Economy: $17.2$ trillion (23% of global wealth with 7% of world population).
United States Economy: $16.2$ trillion (22% of global wealth with 4.5% of world population).
China: $9.0$ trillion (12% of the money in 18% of the world population).
Japan: $5.1$ trillion (7% of the money in 1.7% of the world population).
United Kingdom: $2.4$ trillion (3% of the money in 0.9% of the world population).
India: $2.0$ trillion (6% of the money in 17% of the world population).
Sub-Saharan Africa: $1.3$ trillion (1.8% of the money in 16% of the world population).

Core: Nations with a disproportionately high amount of wealth relative to their population.
Periphery: Nations with a disproportionately low amount of wealth relative to their population.
The core nations were historically the colonizers, while the periphery nations were formerly colonized.
Dependency theory suggests that neocolonialism and imperialism persist today under the guise of capitalism and globalization (the integration of national economies and cultures).

African countries became proxy battlefields during the Cold War (1947-1989).
The capitalist West and communist East superpowers fought outside their own territories.
Examples: Korea, Vietnam, Angola, Cuba, Ethiopia, Somalia.
Most African countries adopted a non-aligned stance, accepting aid from both sides.

Originated from Pan-Africanism (the idea of a unified, independent Africa free from imperialism).
1963: Organization of African Unity (OAU) established.
OAU Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The OAU vocally opposed remaining colonial states like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Initially regarded as an ineffective “president’s club.”
2002: The OAU was reformed and re-established as the African Union.

Maintains a policy of respecting territorial integrity.
Supports intervention in the internal affairs of member states (e.g., in response to the Mauritanian coup).
Advocates for peaceful dispute resolution through negotiation but has also deployed military/peacekeeping missions.
Remains weaker than NATO and the UN due to underfunding, logistical challenges, and divergent political interests.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
Trade agreements exist within these communities and with regions outside Africa, such as the EU, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) emerged as a response to Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP).

Driven by political and economic interests.
Motivated by political conflict (civil war), Islamic terrorism, trade routes (especially the Suez Canal-Red Sea access to the Indian Ocean), energy resources (gas and oil), and strategic minerals.
Dominated by former colonizers, but also includes China and Russia.
Cuba provides humanitarian services, including health and education.