Africa and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

The document examines the Indian Ocean as a critical space for energy security and maritime trade, where global powers like the US, China, India, and Russia compete for influence. It argues that while these powers employ strategies such as 'lily pads' or 'string of pearls' to secure sea lines of communication, continental Africa has remained passive, lacking the political will and resources to proactively manage its own maritime domain.

• The United States maintains a dominant presence in the Indian Ocean through a strategy of 'global reach persistent presence', utilizing 'lily pads'—small, scaled-down military facilities—and the hub of Diego Garcia to secure its interests.
• China is pursuing a 'string of pearls' strategy, securing harbours and military infrastructure in locations such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Mauritius to safeguard its energy sea lanes and increase diplomatic leverage.
• India views the long-term security of energy as a primary strategic concern and is modernising its fleet and building partnerships with IOR nations to create a 'safety cushion' against Chinese advances.
• Russia seeks to maintain its status as a world power by projecting military force in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the reliability of its hydrocarbon exports and using India as a strategic counterweight to China.
• France and the United Kingdom maintain entrenched positions based on colonial legacies; France focuses on its 'confetti of empire' (island territories), while the UK manages a declining global footprint through closer military co-operation with France.
• Japan has shifted toward a 'dynamic defense' policy, establishing its first foreign military base since World War II in Djibouti to ensure the security of its energy and trade routes.
• Continental Africa is characterised by a passive approach to maritime security, with most East African navies (excluding South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya) classified as 'coastal' or 'token' navies that lack the resources for more than basic constabulary duties.
• The African Union's integrated maritime strategy is described as a 'paper tiger' due to a 'landward centric' security focus and a lack of political will and resources for implementation.
• While the IOR–ARC fails to address security directly, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), initiated by India, has become a more functional mechanism for maritime defence and security co-operation among IOR countries.

APA

van Rooyen, F. (2011). Africa and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Occasional-Paper-78.pdf

Chicago

van Rooyen, Frank. Africa and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2011. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Occasional-Paper-78.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=van Rooyen |first1=Frank |title=Africa and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=February 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Occasional-Paper-78.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vanrooyen2011africa, author = {van Rooyen, Frank}, title = {{Africa and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Occasional-Paper-78.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }