After Obama, relations between the USA and Africa have been on a steady course, choosing to continue their presence in Africa with global partner states. Neither Trump nor Biden have visited Africa, preferring to host African leaders in Washington. Perhaps the only common policy between Trump and Biden was their relations with Africa.
As Biden prepares to hand over power to Trump, this is the first time a US President visits a Southwest African country, Angola. Angola has always had limited relations with the USA since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Angola, which was under the influence of Russia during the Cold War, adopted a policy of existence under the protection of China after the 1990s. We can say that Biden’s belated visit is primarily a visit aimed at highlighting US investments in the region, particularly in Angola, in response to China’s increasing influence and expansion in Africa in the last 20 years.
The new process that will pave the way for the elimination of the indifference towards Africa that started with Trump seems like a preliminary preparation for the next US administration. Africa is no longer the Africa of 8 years ago, there is no African country that China has not entered. China has now entered even the African cities and towns that Coca Cola entered.
The USA turning to Africa should not be seen as a choice but as a necessity. Trump does not have the option of leaving the cobalt and copper mines used in energy and other rich mines to China, when their necessity increases day by day. China paved the way for 55 billion USD worth of new investments at the summit it held with African countries in September. It has embarked on an effort to weave Africa with iron networks in accordance with the Belt and Road project. The construction of the Kenya-Uganda, Tanzania-Zambia railways was as if the dreams of British colonialist Cecil Rodes were coming true.
The United States is returning to Africa for the first time with investments. The USA wants to fulfill its promise in 2022 to connect Democratic Congo and Zambia to the Lobita port by building a 1,300-kilometer railway. The Lobita port will be the most important gateway to the Atlantic Ocean from Central Africa. Many mines and minerals, especially copper and cobalt, will be exported to Western countries, especially the USA.
The USA is not primarily interested in Angola’s rich resources, its preference is especially for the minerals in Zambia and Congo. Last year, there was a military coup in Gabon and the newcomers primarily tried to strengthen their relations with the USA. In fact, the military coup in Gabon was passed over with a very mild condemnation on the agenda of the USA, which undertook the apostleship of bringing democracy to Africa. If Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola line comes under USA control, a significant blow will also be dealt to China.
The USA’s two dead ends: Access to minerals and competition with China and Russia
After the Cold War, for the USA, Africa was a region where aid, education and weapons could be sent. The fight against AIDS, aid activities through churches, and the military presence in Africa, AFRICOM, brought a perspective to the continent from above. It aimed to create dependency with aid such as education, health and weapons support. However, these requirements have changed in the last 20 years. Africa has now opened the way for investments and disciplined the distribution of its colonial resources. If there were no civil wars, supply could only be provided through economic relations. China, realizing these needs of Africa, has made many African countries dependent on itself by means of debt.
The most important competition between the USA and China will be in the field of mining. China has not only dominated Africa’s mining sector, but has also taken control of the supply chain and distribution with the Belt and Road Project. Here, the USA wants to neutralize China in Central and Southwest Africa by establishing the Lobito corridor. The Lobito corridor will connect the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean by railway, and Zambia, Democratic Congo and even further, Tanzania and Mozambique will be connected. The Lobito corridor is a move by the USA against the Belt and Road Project, and an investment of over 3 billion USD is targeted.
The question “Why Angola” should be answered
Angola is one of the rising countries of Africa. It is a country with rich oil resources as well as important minerals. After the silent collapse of the 40-year Santos government in Angola, Lourançe, who was elected President in 2017, is a statesman who is closer to the Western mentality. The new Angolan administration, which does not trust China, has developed a series of policies such as corruption, terrorism, money laundering, and integrating into the global economy in macroeconomics. It did not disrupt relations with China and started to establish relations with Europe and the USA through its former colonial owner Portugal. Finally, the approval of a 750 million USD loan for investments from the USA Development Bank and Europe meant the beginning of the first honeymoon days.
Considering that Trump’s target is BRICS, Angola was also giving signs of who it would spend the spring with by not being a part of this organization. Considering that Angola is one of the countries that provide loans in Africa and has good relations with its neighbors, it can be said that it is the closest country to being a partner for the USA. However, China’s relationship with Angola is not that weak. In the last 10 years only, China’s investment in Angola has exceeded 12 billion USD. Mainly in infrastructure, China has built bridges, railways, ports, canals and highways in Angola. Angola still sees China as its biggest investor and the relationship between the two states will not be shaken in the short term. Angola is still the country which may let the USA to easily compete against rise of China.
Biden’s visit can also be seen as a gift to the Trump administration. Because Trump no longer has the luxury of ignoring Africa as he did in his first term. The most important way to combat Chinese influence in Africa is to continue investing in the Lobita corridor. The Lobita corridor will not only ensure that energy-essential minerals such as cobalt, copper, and lithium are transported to the USA, but will also improve trade between Africa and the USA. The USA will have to establish strong ties with local economic elements in order to counter China’s influence.
The other country that the USA competes within Africa is undoubtedly Russia. Currently, Russia has semi-official military forces in more than 10 African countries. Russia’s military presence is active in countries such as Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso. In fact, Russia filled the gap that resulted in France’s withdrawal or expulsion. Although the USA’s competition with Russia will not take place directly in a hot war environment, it will take place through arms sales and proxies.
X-TikTok war
The competition between China and the USA will undoubtedly not only be an economic competition, but also a competition on social media. In fact, the competition between the USA social media platform X and the Chinese social media platform TikTok has already started. For now, TikTok is one step ahead, but X has also started to become more visible in Africa.
Angola’s internet network is not strong enough. Biden’s visit also includes a telecommunications investment. If the USA invests in the internet network, it can also reduce the influence of China’s TikTok.
In conclusion, Biden’s visit to Angola is not just a visit to one country, but it is also a move by the USA to return to the African continent. A new era will begin for both Angola and the USA. But will Angola be able to manage both countries together? Or will it be integrated into one of the two countries?
