Title: The BRICS summit in Johannesburg: an opportunity for Africa
Introduction :
The 15th Brics summit, bringing together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is being held this year in Johannesburg with the central theme “The Brics and Africa”. This summit is of particular importance for the African continent, which has the presence of no less than 30 African leaders. In this article, we will explore the reasons for this African interest in the BRICS summit and the potential benefits it can bring, both politically and economically.
South Africa’s desire to highlight its leadership:
For South Africa, host country of the summit, the organization of this meeting is of major political importance. By inviting African countries to participate, South Africa seeks to assert its leadership on the continent and its role in creating an alternative forum to existing global institutions. It is also an opportunity to show that South Africa has powerful partners within the BRICS, able to support its interests and defend an alternative vision to the current world order, often perceived as dominated by the Western countries.
A political and economic message for African countries:
The participation of many African leaders in this summit testifies to a growing interest in the BRICS and what they represent. Several factors contribute to this enthusiasm, such as the Covid crisis and the management of vaccines perceived as unfair, as well as the conflict in Ukraine which has rekindled tensions between countries of the South and Western domination. For African countries, participating in the BRICS summit offers them the opportunity to express themselves politically and economically, outside the traditional and often unbalanced logic of cooperation with Western countries.
The stakes of a possible expansion of the Brics:
While 23 countries have applied to join the BRICS, including six African countries, the question of expanding the group arises. There are differences among current BRICS members, particularly between China and India, over the issue of expansion. Some African countries have expressed their desire to join the BRICS, but it remains to be defined what membership criteria will be applied. This discussion reflects the tensions between a select club of emerging powers and a larger group, recalling the importance of maintaining group cohesion and the original goal of creating an alternative to the G7.
The political and economic benefits for Africa:
On the political level, the participation of African countries in the BRICS summit sends a strong message to public opinion: Africa has alternative partners and can count on emerging powers from the global South.. It also strengthens the diversification of Africa’s international relations and its ability to defend its interests on the world stage. Economically, the benefits are more difficult to assess, but some countries see the BRICS summit as an opportunity to strengthen their ties with China, India and other member countries, and to explore new opportunities for economic cooperation.
Conclusion :
The BRICS summit in Johannesburg provides an international showcase for Africa, allowing African leaders to express themselves and strengthen their partnerships with the emerging powers of the Global South. While the political benefits are obvious, the economic fallout remains to be explored. Nevertheless, this event marks an important step in the diversification of Africa’s international relations and in its desire to position itself as a key player on the world stage