Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

This Exchange on Capitol Hill Explains Why the Pentagon Keeps Saying China Wants to Build a New Base in Africa

by Eric Olander
Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (left) and Assistant Secretary of Defense nominee Celeste Wallander (right).

For the past year or so, General Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander for Africa (AFRICOM) has said repeatedly that China is looking to build a new military base on the continent, this time on the Atlantic coast. But neither he nor his colleagues at the Pentagon have provided evidence to support the claim, attributing it only to “intelligence reports.”

With little to no discussion about such a move in Chinese military policy circles, it raises the question as to whether General Townsend’s claims are genuinely intended to sound the alarm about China’s military expansion on the continent or, more likely, that they’re instead narrowly aimed at people like Senator Jim Inhofe, the ranking Republican and longtime China Hawk on the powerful Armed Services Committee.

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

You Might Like

The Top Commander for U.S. Forces in Africa Was Asked if China and Russia Are Involved in the Recent Wave of Coups

General Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is well known for his oft-stated concern about China’s presence in Africa and the destabilizing role that he feels Beijing plays on the continent. ...

Remember When China, Russia, and South Africa Held Their First-ever Joint Naval Exercises? Well, it Didn’t Amount to Very Much 

There was a lot of hype/anticipation over the dramatic optics of the Chinese, Russian and South African navies holding their first-ever joint naval exercises off the coast of Cape Town. Did the presence ...

Larry Hanauer: A Withdrawal of U.S. Military Staff in Africa Will Only Benefit China

U.S. President Donald Trump is widely expected to enact a significant drawdown of U.S. forces in South Asia, the Mideast, and in Africa, before he leaves office next January,

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.