%0 Journal Article
%T THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE US AND CHINA¡¯S ENGAGEMENT WITHIN AFRICA
%A Jan Van Rooyen
%A Hussein Solomon
%J Scientia Militaria : South African Journal of Military Studies
%D 2011
%I Stellenbosch University
%R 10.5787/35-1-27
%X The role of external involvement within Africa is not a new phenomenon by any standard; in fact, Africa¡¯s recent political history is rife with similar examples. From the onset of colonisation, European powers have been subjugating and manipulating Africa¡¯s people for their vast supplies of natural resources and raw materials. The Africa of today is no different, with a noticeably growing trend of external involvement within the continent. The changing geostrategic realities of the post-9/11 world have entrenched Africa as a new strategic destination due to the prevalence of crucial resources and possible markets and the security interests of global powers. The shift in focus towards Africa as a strategic partner in the changing geo-political realities of the contemporary international system has posited the emergence of the so-called ¡®new scramble for Africa¡¯. In essence, this scramble revolves around the widespread interest in Africa¡¯s resource-rich countries as a vital source of security for the world¡¯s economic powers. Recent engagement within Africa is rooted in the quest of foreign countries to secure access to finite resources and raw materials as well as to open export markets.
%U http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/27