Chinese influence on the African military

• Beijing may be willing to adjust its long-standing non-interference policy
• The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has also taken an active role in anti-piracy operations
• representatives from China and African nations reached a pivotal consensus

Recently the peace and security of numerous African nations have been profoundly impacted by a combination of escalating socioeconomic crises, political coups, armed banditry, terrorism, and various transnational threats. This multifaceted crisis has led to widespread instability affecting individual countries and regional security dynamics. Additionally, the geopolitical rivalries among established and emerging global powers seeking influence in Africa have intensified, further complicating the situation and contributing to the prevailing turmoil.

The rapidly deteriorating security landscape, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, has prompted an intensified response from the People's Republic of China. During the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September 2024 in Beijing, leaders from various African nations gathered to engage in substantive discussions regarding policies and cooperation agreements. This summit served as a critical platform for African leaders to address shared challenges and plan collaborative strategies for development. Notably, it underscored Beijing's unwavering commitment to retaining its position as the continent's largest lender and investor, operating under the FOCAC theme of "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future."

China’s comprehensive security strategy in Africa can be delineated into three key components. First, it seeks to enhance military training and cooperation with both longstanding partners and emerging allies, thereby bolstering military capacities across the continent. Second, it emphasizes increasing arms transfers to African nations, which facilitates the modernization and strengthening of their armed forces. Lastly, China aims to fortify its private security sector, recognising the growing need for security services in the evolving geopolitical landscape.

A salient example of China’s military diplomacy is the Peace Unity 2024 exercise, a counterterrorism drill conducted in collaboration with Tanzania and Mozambique. This exercise not only improves the operational capabilities of participating nations in addressing terrorist threats but also exemplifies China’s strategic intention to deepen military ties and promote the sale of Chinese military hardware. China aims to establish deeper security integration with African countries through such military initiatives. This strategic approach conveys China’s ambition to position itself as a significant security power in the region, complementing its economic influence and investment.

Africa has increasingly become a pivotal arena for China's military and security strategy, extending its influence beyond national borders. Establishing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) overseas base in Djibouti represents a significant milestone in this regard. This base enhances China's operational capabilities in the region and serves as a strategic foothold for its military presence on the continent. Additionally, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which consists of 53 African countries, is one of the first multilateral platforms established outside of China’s immediate periphery, facilitating diplomatic and economic engagement between China and African nations.

The PLA has developed a considerable presence in Africa, with deployments primarily centred in Djibouti. Approximately 2,000 Chinese troops are currently stationed across five African nations, engaged in various operations that encompass 17 United Nations peacekeeping missions alongside counter-piracy initiatives. 

The security and military cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and African nations is perceived as crucial for safeguarding the extensive investments and infrastructure that China has established through its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI, which seeks to enhance connectivity and trade across Asia, Europe, and Africa, necessitates a stable and secure environment to ensure the success of its projects. 

Recent analyses provide a comprehensive overview of the growing influence of China’s military-industrial complex on the African continent, highlighting its multifaceted approach to military engagement and cooperation. A significant incident illustrating this trend occurred in July 2023 in Northern Mali, where the Wagner Group, which has since rebranded itself as Africa Corps, sustained considerable losses during a well-coordinated ambush executed by Tuareg rebels. This event not only reflects the volatile security environment in the region but also underscores the challenges faced by private military contractors operating in Africa.

To bolster its military outreach and establish strategic partnerships, China supplies an extensive range of military equipment to various nations across Africa. While precise figures regarding military sales can vary due to the nature of the arms market, multiple reports suggest that China's arms exports to the continent have generated substantial revenue streams. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights that between 2019 and 2023, China executed significant arms exports to Sub-Saharan Africa, benefitting at least 21 countries, many of which received substantial deliveries of advanced military hardware and technology.

In addition to arms exports, the Chinese naval fleet has actively participated in enhancing China's presence and influence within Africa. Noteworthy vessels, including the guided-missile destroyer Nanning, the frigate Sanya, and the supply ship Weishan Hu, have made multiple significant port visits throughout the continent. These operations not only serve to promote China's maritime capabilities but also facilitate diplomatic ties with host nations. Furthermore, in conjunction with arms sales, China has established a competitive advantage by offering specialized military training programs tailored for African personnel. Initiatives such as the Chinese Professional Military Education (PME) program provide rigorous training designed to elevate the professional competencies of African military officers, thereby fostering a sense of military camaraderie and operational alignment between the Chinese military and African forces.

Emerging reports suggest that China is considering the establishment of a new military base in Equatorial Guinea, which would represent a historic development as it would mark China's first permanent military presence on the Atlantic side of the African continent. This strategic initiative aligns seamlessly with China's broader objectives to expand its global influence and safeguard its investments across various sectors in Africa, including energy, minerals, and infrastructure.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has also taken an active role in anti-piracy operations in the region, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean. This involvement introduces significant complexity to China’s diplomatic and bilateral relationships with various African nations. Notably, China distinguishes its anti-piracy operations from those traditionally led by the United Nations or the United States by emphasizing a more exclusive approach. This strategic choice reflects China's intention to elevate its status as a principal actor in regional security matters, positioning itself as a key provider of stability in both commercial and maritime domains.

During the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in Beijing, representatives from China and African nations reached a pivotal consensus aimed at enhancing cooperation. Specifically, they agreed to align the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 development strategies with China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This alignment signifies a concerted effort to foster economic development and infrastructure growth across Africa while simultaneously deepening China’s geopolitical influence within the region. The initiative emphasizes the mutual benefits of collaboration, ultimately seeking to address critical challenges facing African nations, such as poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and improved governance structures. This multifaceted engagement represents a cornerstone of China's long-term strategic vision for its role in Africa, promoting stability and growth through targeted military and economic partnerships.

Furthermore, there are considerable concerns regarding the involvement of Chinese private security companies in Africa. These companies have been implicated in facilitating the proliferation of arms on the continent, thereby contributing to the destabilization of various regions. The interaction between military engagement by state actors and the activities of private security firms has resulted in an increased presence of Chinese arms in multiple conflict zones, leading to ethical and strategic dilemmas that complicate the geopolitical landscape.

China's engagement in peacekeeping missions across Africa has also sparked significant scrutiny and debate among international observers. While such operations are often framed as humanitarian efforts directed toward conflict resolution and peace maintenance, a growing body of evidence suggests that many of these peacekeeping initiatives are fundamentally aimed at safeguarding China’s economic investments in the region, acquiring crucial military experience, and enhancing its geopolitical stature on the global stage.

In its strategic positioning, China seeks to present itself as a leader of the Global South, offering an alternative paradigm to the existing liberal world order dominated by Western powers. Recent military drills conducted in the region, alongside a noticeable increase in arms transfers, and new commitments to invest in African security infrastructure illustrate the path that China aims to follow in the years to come. This path includes providing support to local security partners in their counterterrorism efforts and anti-piracy operations, promoting joint port defence and maritime patrol initiatives, expanding transfers of military equipment, and bolstering military-to-military exchanges.

While it is evident that Beijing may be willing to adjust its long-standing non-interference policy to better align with its strategic interests, the limited operational capacity of China’s military base in Djibouti may prove insufficient to support large-scale and extensive military operations throughout the African continent. This limitation raises questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of China's military engagement in securing its strategic objectives in Africa.