A New Cold War? Great Powers Compete for Influence in Africa

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Tensions are rising in Africa as global powers such as the US, China, and Russia vie for influence in what some analysts describe as a new Cold War. According to Pádraig Carmody, a Professor of Geography at Trinity College Dublin, this competition reflects shifting geopolitical interests rooted in Africa's vast resources and strategic significance.

The report highlights a transformation from a geo-economic race to a broader geo-strategic contest for influence in resource-rich regions, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to 70% of the world's cobalt reserves. As China increases its engagement with large-scale infrastructure projects—despite financial retrenchment—Russia's role is also notable, involving security cooperation agreements and troop deployments in exchange for mining rights.

While African leaders are seen to be strategically navigating these external pressures, the implications of this rivalry could deepen the region's political struggles. Increased alignment with authoritarian powers like Russia and China may lead to a diminishing demand for democratic reforms, with potential far-reaching consequences for civil rights and governance across the continent.

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