China Doubles Down on Support for Africa Amid Sudan Crisis
In a significant move at the China-Africa Forum held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a commitment to double support for the African continent, pledging approximately $51 billion in financing. This initiative aims to bolster infrastructure projects and create at least one million jobs across Africa, addressing the pressing economic challenges faced by many nations on the continent. As part of this commitment, Xi emphasized the necessity of a robust China-Africa network that encompasses both land and sea links, fostering coordinated development.
Simultaneously, the forum highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where a brutal conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in approximately 18,800 fatalities and nearly 10 million displaced individuals since mid-April 2023. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese army, urged the forum to classify the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist organization, citing their involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. He called for international support to eliminate this threat, which he claims is undermining peace and security not only in Sudan but across the region.
The Sudanese leader stressed the need for African countries to unite in support of Sudan's quest for peace and stability, urging a re-evaluation of Sudan's suspension from the African Union. As international and UN calls grow louder for an end to the conflict, the humanitarian situation in Sudan remains dire, with millions facing famine and life-threatening conditions due to food shortages exacerbated by the ongoing violence.
This dual focus on economic partnership and urgent humanitarian needs underscores the critical nature of the China-Africa relationship, as both sides navigate the complexities of geopolitical dynamics and regional stability.
