Blinken Plays Football Diplomacy on Africa As Russia, China Make Gains

Can Blinken Dribble Past China, Russia, and even France in a Complex Diplomatic African Match?

Secretary Blinken's fourth African tour kicks off, aiming to score goals on trade, security, and, yes, even a well-placed photo op at the African Cup of Nations. But beyond the official agenda lies a tricky pitch – one where America faces not just African aspirations, but a complex geopolitical game with China, Russia, and even France vying for influence.

Africa, no longer content with being on the sidelines, demands its own jerseys and playbooks. From resource-rich Angola to tech-savvy Rwanda, a chorus of self-reliance echoes across the continent. Blinken must acknowledge this – America can't just lecture on debt traps and good governance while overlooking human rights concerns in "strategic allies," as France recently discovered with its expulsion from some African nations.

This is a continent where memories of colonialism still sting, and America's unwavering support for Israel amidst mounting civilian casualties in Gaza doesn't exactly score goodwill points. Blinken needs to demonstrate genuine partnership, not paternalism. He needs to listen to the diverse voices of African youth, civil society, and women, not just pander to autocrats.

China, meanwhile, plays a different game. Infrastructure developmentand resource extraction deals offer a different kind of goal, one that has seen many projects realised on the continent over the past 10-15 years. America must raise its game if it needs tocounter this by prioritising sustainable development, investing in local industries, and offering transparent partnerships, not neocolonial strings attached.

Then there's Russia, the master of geopolitical judo, now offering military support without the baggage and promising to build nuclear plants in Burkina Faso. Blinken needs to show that America offers more than just guns and ammunition. He needs to champion African security solutions, address terrorism and piracy threats with respect for sovereignty, and build genuine trust, not just temporary alliances.

And let's not forget France, licking its wounds after being red-carded from the Sahel.Blinken can learn from their missteps, emphasising cultural ties, respecting historical sensitivities, and offering genuine partnerships, not paternalistic pronouncements.

Yes, African economies crave investment, yes, security threats like terrorism loom large. But let’s be clear: Africans aren’t simply waiting for foreign solutions. Across the continent, a new chorus demands agency, not patronage. From tech hubs in Kigali to bustling markets in Lagos, there’s a palpable sense of self-reliance brewing.

The football match, then, becomes more than just a photo op. It's a symbolic exchange, a chance to show that America recognises and respects African aspirations, not just seeks to control them. Blinken can either play a beautiful game of collaboration, or risk being relegated to the sidelines, watching as China, Russia, and score the winning goals.

This tour is no friendly scrimmage. It's a high-stakes match for influence on a continent rising. Can Blinken navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, win over African hearts and minds, and score a victory for genuine partnership? Only time, and his deft diplomatic footwork, will tell.

Blinken tour isscheduled for: Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola.

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