Key for Africa to embrace Iran, too!
There is an enraged global political whirlwind occurring in all regions that can only be stabilized with rational and good political choices by political leaders. In the East and the Pacific, tensions are rising and alliances are shifting like sand dunes if one looks closer at complex affairs involving Russia, Ukraine, China, the USA, and the QUAD alliance, Japan, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. The political landscape is as intricate as it is volatile. In the south, where nations are rich in culture and resources, the plague of corruption is domineering as much as intra-state conflicts are not ending in the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Mali, among others. All these scenarios are sparking geopolitical disputes, highlighting that global political developments are now a complex tapestry woven with threads of power, diplomacy and conflict.
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Gibson Nyikadzino: correspondent
There is an enraged global political whirlwind occurring in all regions that can only be stabilised with rational and good political choices by political leaders.
In the East and the Pacific, tensions are rising and alliances are shifting like sand dunes if one looks closer at complex affairs involving Russia, Ukraine, China, the USA, the QUAD alliance, Japan, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. The political landscape is as intricate as it is volatile.
In the West, the liberal democracies there are grappling with the issues of the balance of power. The struggle between individual freedoms and security is becoming a chess game of strategic moves. Further West in the USA, it is battling economic disparities where the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening.
In the south, where nations are rich in culture and resources, the plague of corruption is domineering as much as intra-state conflicts are not ending in the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Mali, among others.
All these scenarios are sparking geopolitical disputes, highlighting that global political developments are now a complex tapestry woven with threads of power, diplomacy and conflict.
In such times, Africa has been thought of by many other countries as a central feature and figure of business opportunities, investments and trade in the greater part of the 21st century.
To boost a country’s global position and economic confidence, every global and regional power is now pivoting towards Africa.
Iran is Africa’s ally
Such pivoting has come through various summits held by China, Russia, Türkiye, Japan, India, the USA and also the European Union, all to have strategic businesses with Africa. Even small Estonia, a European country with a population of about 1,4 million people, is contemplating having an Estonia-Africa summit!
Of late, while other countries are pivoting towards Africa, it is also a key highlight that the continent counts Iran as a greater ally whose scientific research and innovation is key to boost economic development and strategic partnerships. While China is embraced in Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the position of Iran in Africa being embraced is also key. In 2013, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad toured three West African countries, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Ten years later, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pivoted his country to east and southern Africa by visiting Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, a first tour of Africa by an Iranian leader in over a decade.
Such trips are highlights on the importance of diversifying economic interests and political relations, and they also form a wider part of a geopolitical strategy against the West that seeks to contain and further isolate a competing Iran.
For Iran, Kenya is one of the largest importers of Iranian tea and also a potential market for Iranian pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals. Also, it is a strategic security partner competent in fighting terrorist activities with expertise in that dimension. To Zimbabwe, Iran is a key ally to enhance political coordination in international organisations like the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), share scientific and technological advances and find new markets.
Intriguing developments
China, Iran and Russia, three great powers and civilisations, have already joined forces in an unprecedented alliance, reshaping the landscape of global politics. The reshaping of the global political landscape is what Africa has been yearning for.
On the other hand, African leaders are drifting towards these three countries to forge strategic partnerships aimed at promoting mutual interests and expanding spheres of influence.
Under the BRICS banner, the trio’s alliance is already strengthens military cooperation coupled with joint exercises showcasing their combined firepower and defence capabilities.
Economically, despite having sanctions, China, Iran and Russia are bolstering each other’s growth, leveraging their vast resources and markets to create a formidable economic bloc in the BRICS format. Together, they have pushed the boundaries of innovation, spearheading breakthroughs in technology, space exploration and scientific research.
As more African countries anticipate joining China, Iran and Russia under the BRICS bloc, the Western world is watching with great curiosity and apprehension, anticipating how the BRICS and the strategically placed Africa will reshape global politics and challenge existing power dynamics.
Beyond rhetoric
Iran has over the years made strategic inroads into the African continent. The Persian country has always had historic ties with Africa. In a world featured by many alliances, Africa and Iran, in the context of changing global patterns, must seek to gather ways to continue strategic political and economic relations in order to defend themselves from bullying tactics of the West.
By Africa embracing Iran, as it has embraced others, it should be beyond rhetoric but an expression to overcome the negative historical narrative that has been originated by the West against Iran
Further Africa-Iran ties mean more trade opportunities and investment projects for African countries that are willing to cooperate with Iran. It could also mean more access to Iranian technology and know-how in areas such energy, health, education, and security. However, that could also mean African countries must be bold enough to contain pressure from the USA and its allies who are opposed to Iran. In these intriguing times where the multipolar world is expected, Iran is hopeful to get the backing of the over one billion people in Africa in resisting US pressures that single out Iran. For Africa to support Iran, it must not be through mere rhetoric.
Evidently, African nations have many opportunities in their interactions with Iran and make the most of these relations for the benefit of the people from both civilisations.
