Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, in collaboration with the Institute of African Affairs in Ethiopia, hosted a joint research conference in Addis Ababa on 11 and 12 October 2024, entitled “Africa: Challenges of Fragility and Capitalising on International Competition”. The event brought together researchers and experts in African affairs to discuss the critical challenges facing the continent amid global geopolitical shifts and competition for its resources.
Current Challenges in Africa
Dr. Jafar Bedru, the Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs, opened the conference with a speech highlighting how African crises are intensifying due to regional and global changes. He noted that the Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions in areas like the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea have a direct impact on the stability of countries across the continent, hindering development efforts and exacerbating institutional fragility.
Bedru stressed the importance of developing cooperative strategies to tackle these challenges at both regional and global levels. He emphasised that effective solutions can only be achieved through coordinated efforts among African countries, in collaboration with the international community.
Research Cooperation: The Foundation of African Solutions
Dr. Ezzeddine Abdelmoula, Director of Research at Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, accentuated the need to strengthen cooperation among African research institutions. He highlighted that Africans are best equipped to understand their own challenges and that sharing experiences among researchers can lead to innovative insights and solutions for the continent's persistent issues.
Abdelmoula noted that international competition for Africa's resources, including oil, gas and rare minerals, should be harnessed for development. He underlined that the continent requires long-term strategies to strengthen its negotiating power with global players.
International and Regional Competition for Africa
The conference also addressed the growing competition among global and regional powers for Africa, drawing attention to how the continent's resources and geographic location make it a prime target. The experts pointed out that this competition often intensifies internal conflicts within African nations.
The experts urged African countries to adopt more strategic approaches that allow them to benefit from this competition without succumbing to conflicts instigated by external powers. They stressed that harnessing the economic opportunities presented by this competition could significantly enhance development and stability.
Globalisation and African Identity
One session focused on the impact of globalisation on African identity. Speakers discussed how globalisation has created opportunities for cultural and economic exchange, while simultaneously weakening some traditional African values. The experts stressed the importance of Africans maintaining their cultural uniqueness even as they engage with the wider world.
Fourth-Generation Wars and Threats to African Security
Another session examined the phenomenon of fourth-generation wars, which utilise modern communication technologies and media manipulation, setting them apart from traditional conflicts. The experts highlighted that these wars present a new threat to African security, stressing the necessity of modernising African militaries and investing in advanced technology to effectively address this challenge.
Conference Conclusion: A Call for Strategic Partnerships
At the end of the conference, the participants underscored the importance of strategic partnerships between African nations and international powers to tackle escalating challenges. They asserted the need for innovative solutions and the potential to leverage international competition for the continent's resources as an opportunity for sustainable development, rather than a source of conflict.
The conference opening and sessions are available here:
- Opening
- Regional Security and the Legacy of Fragility
- Africa in the Context of a Globalised Society
- Actors and Institutions
- Africa: A Peaceful South and a Turbulent North
- Africa and the Arab World: Partnership Opportunities in a Competitive Landscape
- Africa and Africans: What Role in New Global Transformations?