United States of America military is keen to block the escalating dominance of China and Russia in the African market.
For decades now, the US has been dislodged as Africa's trusted friend by the Communist states, forcing the military now to reinvent strategies.
Key among the steps being undertaken by AFRICOM is making Washington look a "partner of choice" by supporting long-term projects in the continent.
"I think the most important part of our approach is, it’s about relationships, it’s not about access to a resource or to a mineral, or to sales of U.S. equipment,” AFRICOM director of operations U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler told reporters. “I think the relationships we build will have a far-lasting impact.”
“It is important to remember that outside of selling arms for their own economic benefit, China and Russia are not doing much to help counter extremist groups to rob Africans of their future,” U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy director of intelligence, told reporters.
For instance, the UK-Africa summit on going in London has only attracted 16 head of states, a contrast of the meetings held by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping last year.
But despite the trade links between Africa and the two Communist states, the US has, on the other hand, committed itself in promoting peace and stability in Africa through her troops.
Russia is the top arms exporter to African countries and was responsible for 39 per cent of arms exports to the continent between 2013 and 2017, followed by China who provided 17 per cent of arms exports to Africa in that same time period, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports.
“Where they go with certain other arms sales or other activities, oftentimes, that’s an economic decision for them,” Gayler said of African partners.