Author: C. Geraud Neema
C. Géraud Neema Byamungu is an analyst and observer of China-Africa relations who graduated from Renmin University of China and has a master’s degree in International Development from the International University of Japan. In addition to his role at CGSP, Géraud is also a non-resident scholar in the Africa program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Previously, he worked as a project manager for a small Congolese mining company in DRC and later as a consultant on good governance and policy advocacy for the “Centre d’Etudes pour l’Action Social.”
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As the United States continues its efforts to counter China’s growing influence across the Global South, recent budget cuts from the Trump administration—and the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk—have delivered a major blow to USAID and now threaten American diplomacy more broadly. ...
Why Trump’s Decision to Axe the FCPA Isn’t Going to Help U.S. Business as Much as He Thinks
In a bold and undoubtedly controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a law prohibiting U.S. companies from engaging in bribery abroad. The president framed the decision as a way to boost the competitiveness of U.S. companies—particularly those battling ...
The Long Game: China’s Strategy for Cobalt and Critical Resources
By Géraud Neema and Eric Olander In the world of critical minerals, where prices fluctuate wildly and geopolitical tensions loom large, China may be demonstrating a mastery of long-term strategic planning. At a time when cobalt prices have plummeted to just ...
Two Chinese Oil Workers Kidnapped in Niger
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U.S sanctions delay Mauritania Boat Contract With Chinese Company
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Western, Chinese 5G Rivals Poised to Clash Over New Deployment in Morocco
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Chinese Fleet Returns Home After Mission in African Waters
A trio of Chinese warships returned to their home port in Guangdong Province on Friday after a 339-day mission that included operations in African waters. The ships, composed of the guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo, the guided missile frigate Xuchang, and the supply ship Honghu, ...
The Persistent China-Africa Trade Imbalance — Is It China’s Fault?
Every year, trade figures between China and Africa highlight a significant imbalance. While Chinese authorities celebrate the growing volume of trade – $295 billion in 2024, compared to $282 billion in 2023 – African leaders have legitimate concerns about a trade deficit heavily skewed in China’s ...
From 1991 to Today: The Significance of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s Annual Africa Tour
For 35 consecutive years, even during the COVID pandemic, Chinese diplomacy has upheld the tradition of dedicating its first annual diplomatic trip to Africa. This unwavering commitment to Africa is unparalleled by any other country on the UN Security Council, in ...
Q&A: Copper, Not Cobalt is the Main Focus for Chinese Mining Giant CMOC in the DR Congo
As global competition for access to critical raw materials intensifies, major mining companies are increasingly central to the debate over supply chains. The prolonged slump in prices for nickel, cobalt, and lithium has drawn scrutiny from Western policymakers and corporate leaders, ...
No, the Lobito Corridor is NOT a U.S. Project
U.S. President Joe Biden finally made his long-postponed trip to Angola, fulfilling his December 2022 promise to visit Africa. When the promise was initially made, there were expectations of a more substantial visit—perhaps including multiple countries—not just a single stop as a “lame duck.”
China’s Role in the DR Congo Cobalt Supply Chain: Who’s Who?
This report serves as a companion piece to CGSP’s Interactive Cobalt Tracker. While the map provides detailed, up-to-date data on the cobalt industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this report offers the broader context needed to understand that data.