Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security in Africa

The report details a conference on Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security, exploring the intersection of China's economic engagement and Africa's security architecture. Key discussions focus on the 'African solutions to African problems' principle, the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like ECOWAS and IGAD, and specific conflict zones such as the two Sudans and Somalia. While acknowledging China's role in infrastructure and condition-free aid, the report highlights concerns regarding environmental degradation, the influx of cheap goods, and the impact of arms supplies. It recommends a shift from ad-hoc crisis reaction to a proactive role for China, emphasizing capacity building for the AU's African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS).

• China's engagement in Africa is characterized by a 'non-interference' policy and the provision of condition-free financial support, which contrasts with the conditional aid typically provided by Western partners.
• There is a significant opportunity for China to support the African Union's Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) through financial aid and the establishment of regular communication channels using advanced software for conflict analysis.
• China is identified as a key stakeholder with the potential to resolve the deadlock and prevent an 'oil war' between Sudan and South Sudan by exerting pressure on both parties regarding oil production and distribution.
• The 'African solutions to African problems' (ASAP) principle is implemented through the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Standby Force (ASF), though it faces constraints regarding external funding and the balance between state sovereignty and the responsibility to protect.
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs), such as ECOWAS, often have a more direct influence on conflict resolution than the AU, particularly when they are powerful and effective, as seen in the Liberian and Côte d’Ivoire conflicts.
• China's economic impact on Africa is mixed; while it provides essential infrastructure and debt relief (e.g., US$ 1.27 billion in 2007), it is also criticized for environmental degradation and the displacement of local manufacturers by cheap imports.
• China has been criticized for supplying weapons to belligerent groups in countries including Sudan, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and the DRC, which has undermined fragile peace efforts.
• The Horn of Africa remains unstable due to poor governance, border disputes, and proxy wars, with Somalia being a primary site of conflict where Ethiopia and Kenya have deployed troops to fight terrorism.

APA

Woldemichael, D. T. (2012). Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2012MaySinoAUCoopReport.pdf

Chicago

Woldemichael, Debay Tadesse. Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, 2012. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2012MaySinoAUCoopReport.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Woldemichael |first1=Debay Tadesse |title=Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security in Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=22 May 2012 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2012MaySinoAUCoopReport.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{woldemichael2012sinoafrican, author = {Woldemichael, Debay Tadesse}, title = {{Sino-African Union cooperation in peace and security in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2012}, month = may, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/2012MaySinoAUCoopReport.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }