By Dr. Theo Neethling, University of The Free State — The Conversation Africa — 15 September 2020
At least 13 foreign powers have a substantial military presence on the African continent. The US and France are at the forefront, each with more than 7,500 military personnel deployed. In 2017, China inaugurated its first overseas military base in Djibouti, established alongside French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese bases. Turkey and the UAE also have notable military presences. Foreign military motivations include countering threats to international peace, subduing terror groups and pirates, protecting commercial interests, aligning with friendly regimes, and expressing dominance on a continent that is the focus of rising global competition. Many African governments are keen to host foreign militaries, as bilateral agreements generate income. The AU Peace and Security Council has ongoing concerns about the proliferation of foreign military bases and its inability to monitor the movement of weapons to and from these bases.