The taz Panter Foundation brings journalists from Africa to debates in Berlin and Brussels. Building bridges between continents.

The magazine of Taz Panter's workshop “The future of Africa and the competition of global powers” Photo: Nontokozo Tshabalala

It was the new wars that recently demonstrated how tense the relationship between Africa and the West is. After Russia's attack on Ukraine, the United States and the EU hoped that countries south of the Mediterranean would take their side and unanimously condemn Putin's aggression. But not everyone did this.

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Then came Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 and its offensive in Gaza. South Africa is suing Israel for genocide at the International Criminal Court, and many other countries in the Global South also do not understand Israel's actions in Gaza. They consider that the West is blind to the suffering of the Palestinians. To many people in the south of the world it seems clear: the West has a double standard and is indifferent to their pain.

The war in Sudan that broke out again in 2023, the climate catastrophes and famines in East Africa: many are wondering: do people here care if millions of people there are threatened with death? This fuels anti-colonial sentiment in Africa. The conflict over Covid vaccines during the pandemic also damaged relations with the West. The consequences are clear. Today, people often no longer want to rely on the West to combat jihad, one of the most pressing problems in the Sahel. Russia not only seems to be a more suitable partner for the new coup governments. The Wagner Group supposedly offers military aid without the baggage of a colonial past. China is also free of this. It trades infrastructure for access to raw materials and access to markets, and is becoming increasingly stronger in Africa.

Europeans want the same, but even more: in addition to migration control, they also want “good governance.” But given the history of colonialism, it seems hypocritical to many Africans that EU diplomacy today keeps morale high while allowing people in Africa to drown on its doorstep.

It is not an easy time for the relationship between the two continents, which are neighbors and share a common history. Do they also have a future together? And how could that be? Europe has hard interests and can help Africa when the continent needs support. But she faces increasing competition from China, Russia, Turkey and the Gulf states, which now more than ever seek access and influence for their own share. What do people in Africa think about this competition between global powers? And: What do Africans themselves want? The participants of the 4th taz Panter Africa workshop thought about this. This magazine was created. We wish you an interesting read!

Here Learn more about the taz Panter Foundation's Africa workshop and 54-page magazine.