China and Russia in Africa: opportunity or threat?
After centuries of European exploitation in Africa, China is now the continent’s leading economic partner and investor in strategic sectors (mining, oil, telecommunications), with 10,000 companies operating there. Meanwhile, Russia is expanding its military presence and arms exports in the Sahel countries, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and eastern Libya. How should we interpret these developments? Should Chinese and Russian influences be viewed separately? Is this new presence a form of Sino-Russian colonisation, or, on the contrary, should it be seen as a step towards a multipolar world that might benefit Africa?
Mathieu Pellerin
Researcher Ifri and analyst International Crisis Group
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Aisha Dabo
Co-founder and coordinator of AfricTivistes
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Aminata Dramane Traoré
Former minister of Mali (by videoconference)
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Freddy Nkurikiye
Founder of Afrika Nunya and advisor to the President of Togo (by videoconference)
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The discussion is interpreted in English and French
Eat Bitter
Central African Republic, 2023. A Chinese site manager and a Central African worker are tasked with building a new bank in the country. Thomas, a survivor of several armed conflicts, risks his life every day by diving to the bottom of the Ubangui River to bring sand to the surface. This hard work barely earns him enough to feed his children in a country where the political situation is critical. But something unexpected happens to force him to change his life. Luan, for his part, has left his family to triple his salary in Bangui by supervising the illegal sand trade. Meanwhile, back in China, his family is falling apart. Luan wonders whether he too should change his life.
Ningyi Sun
Kea-Kwis Productions
Oaz Picture Entertainment
Perpetuo Films
Mathieu Faure
