Date of Award
8-13-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Discipline
Social Sciences
Department
Government and International Affairs
First Advisor
Prof. CHUNG Chien-peng
Second Advisor
Prof. ZHANG Baohui
Abstract
An evolving trend in Africa’s security sphere is that African states no longer exclusively look to the West who have since the late 20th century been the preferred security partner for most African states in the fight against terrorism, but now also look to the East i.e., China for counterterrorism. This raises the question; Why are African states cooperating with China to combat terrorism and how do external and internal factors influence their decision to do so? The study explores this phenomenon from the African Agency. By using neoclassical realism as its theoretical framework and a qualitative research method, the study looks at Nigeria, Kenya and Sudan as case studies. The core argument presented in this study is that a combination of external and domestic factors plays a role in these three African nations decisions to each cooperate with China to address issues of terrorism in their respective countries. To validate this argument stakeholders from these countries were interviewed to gather insights often overlooked in research focusing mainly on China Africa security dynamics. The results shed light on both converging and differing interests/motives driving Nigeria, Kenya and Sudan’s cooperation with China in the fight against terrorism. These interest/motives include economic advantages, military logistical support, mutual security benefits, diplomatic relations, pragmatic assessment (exclusive to Nigeria), and the transnational threat of terrorism (exclusive to Kenya). Regarding the influence of external factors, the findings reveal the rise of China as a global powerhouse with an interest in Africa’s security. However, the influence of anarchy in the international system is not a given, as perspectives vary. Also, the domestic factors influencing their engagement with China include national interests’ objectives, domestic political constraints, partisan politics (exclusive to Nigeria), leaders’ perceptions of China, and contested notions of shared identity. Empirically, this research contributes to Africa-China security relations by providing African perspectives on counterterrorism cooperation with China, which, to the best of my knowledge, are lacking in both academic and policy research. Theoretically, the study extends neoclassical realism’s reach to developing countries’ foreign policy behaviors. Also, the study emphasizes practical implications that suggest opportunities for improved cooperation between China and Africa in countering terrorism. The study further makes recommendations for future research including the undertaking of a comprehensive multi-method evaluation in these three African states to assess the impact of their counterterrorism cooperation with China, such as whether it is helping to tangibly improve their fights against terrorism or conversely creating new challenges that require academic and policy attention. The express aim of this research s to give voice to African perspectives in the analysis of Africa-China counterterrorism relations, which have been neglected in China-focused security research in Africa.
Language
English
Copyright
The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited.
Recommended Citation
Prah, P. K. W. (2024). Sino-Africa counterterrorism cooperation: Assessing the cases of Nigeria, Kenya and Sudan (Doctoral thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from https://commons.ln.edu.hk/otd/220/