China eyes more military bases in Africa

China’s growing military and security partnerships with African countries pose new challenges to the United States, a long-time security partner in the continent. The Chinese naval base in Djibouti is not the only sign of Chinese military engagement in Africa as it is eying on establishing a new naval base in the Atlantic Ocean.

The top US military commander for Africa disclosed that Beijing is looking to establish a large navy port capable of hosting submarines or aircraft carriers on Africa’s western coast. Revealing the Chinese game plan, General Stephen Townsend, in an interview with The Associated Press, said Beijing has approached countries stretching from Mauritania to the south of Namibia with an intention to establish a naval facility. If realized, that prospect would enable China to base warships in its expanding Navy in the Atlantic as well as Pacific oceans.

“They’re looking for a place where they can rearm and repair warships. That becomes militarily useful in conflict,” said Townsend, who heads the US Africa Command. “They are a long way toward establishing that in Djibouti. Now they are casting their gaze on to the Atlantic coast and wanting to get such a base there.”

US military commanders around the globe caution that Beijing is aggressively asserting economic influence over countries in Africa, South America and the Middle East and is pursuing bases and footholds there.

“Port projects, economic endeavours, infrastructure and their agreements and contracts will lead to greater access in the future. They are hedging their bets and making big bets on Africa,” said Townsend.

China’s first overseas naval base was built years ago in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and it is steadily increasing its capacity. Townsend said as many as 2,000 military personnel are at the base, including hundreds of Marines who handle security there. “They have arms and munitions for sure. They have armoured combat vehicles. We think they will soon be basing helicopters there to potentially include attack helicopters,” said Townsend.

According to the latest US Defense Department’s Report 2020 on China’s military power, China has likely considered adding military facilities to support its naval, air and ground forces in Angola, among other locations. It noted that a large amount of oil and liquefied natural gas imported from Africa and the Middle East make those regions a high priority for China over the next 15 years.