The COVID-19 Pandemic and Major Power Rivalry in Africa

What is it about?

The world was already in precarious situation before the pandemic as humanity was grappling with transnational problems such as climate change, immigration, and violent extremism. Furthermore, failed economic policies which exacerbated both domestic and global inequality had created armies of disgruntled electorates in many countries, ushering an era of populism and right-wing politics. This development has had serious implications on the handling of the pandemic, mainly characterised by vaccine nationalism by some nations in the Global North. One implication has been continued rivalry among major powers as they sought global influence. Africa’s natural resources, its geostrategic importance and the political weight it carries have in recent years attracted suitors in the so called ‘traditional partners’ and ‘new players’. Competition for Africa has thus emerged as major powers attempt to woo the continent. In the context of the pandemic, Africa has become one of the many battlegrounds as the global health crisis presented competing powers with an opportunity to bolster their international standings in what has become to be known as Coronavirus diplomacy. This race for soft power has partly been done by projecting altruistic images through vaccine donations. The rivalry has had varied consequences for Africa, chief among them being the failure of multilateralism in accessing available knowledge and treatment for the disease.

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