Muhammad Mateen
Since the turn of 21st century, Africa has rapidly been gaining prominence in the transforming geopolitical equation of the globalized world. Owing to the huge economic potentials of the African continent, connected with its abundant mineral and energy resources and population of some 1.26 billion people, Africa is largely viewed as the continent of future, while its economies are being labeled as the “lions on the move.” The natural resources of Africa are not only stirring intra-state tensions within the continent, but also attracting emerging and great powers to exploit these resources. Hence, Africa has witnessed unprecedented engagements of foreign powers in the recent past. In the diplomatic sphere, more than 320 new embassies have been opened in Africa between 2010 and 2016. Likewise, the trading patterns have also changed as Africa’s three major trading partners now are China, India and the USA, against USA, China and France in 2006, in these orders. Similarly, China, with its defense ties with 45 African countries, has also become the biggest arms seller to the continent. On the other hand, due to the mounting threats of terrorism, the USA has also intensified its counter terrorism maneuverings, besides increasing its economic and military ties, in Africa. These developments have revamped the global outlook of Africa from a “lost continent” to a stage of “strategic opportunity.” In this context, Pakistan’s “Look Africa Plan,” aimed at enhancing collaboration through multifaceted
engagements with African countries, is largely viewed as a timely and marvel initiative.
Historically speaking, Pakistan’s relations with Africa are rooted in their struggle against colonization. Due to their shared sense of history on account of mutual colonial backgrounds, Pakistan has not only been instrumental in spearheading the diplomatic and political support to diverse freedom movements in Africa, but has also been at the forefront in UN peacekeeping missions during emergencies in Africa. Moreover, Pakistan has also remained eagerly involved in the state-building initiatives in the continent, which in turn precipitated goodwill for Pakistan.
Nonetheless, despite Pakistan’s historical roots and the goodwill impelled by its contributions in humanitarian sphere, the diplomatic presence of Pakistan is limited to only 15 African countries,
while the rest of diplomatic engagements are carried out through concurrent accreditations.
Likewise, notwithstanding the economic potentials of the continent, the trade volume of Pakistan
with African economies is negligible ($3 billion), accounting for only 0.3 percent of its accumulated foreign trade. Contrarily, China, surpassing the USA in 2009 with its diversified engagements, has become the largest trading partner of Africa with the trade volume of $208 billion in 2019. Moreover, China incorporates Africa in its ambitious Belt and Road initiative aimed at enhancing inter-regional connectivity; hence, the realization of BRI would further strengthen its position in the continent. Likewise, India-Africa trade has witnessed an annual growth rate of 17.2 percent since 2001, which led India to surpass the US as the second major trading partner in 2016. India’s trade with Africa accounted $63.3 billion in 2018-19. Thus, the statistics are indicative of Pakistan’s inadequate emphasis on engaging Africa by utilizing its historical and cultural roots, against its neighbor states with meager cultural or historical links.
Given the background, “Look Africa Plan,” formulated by Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, is premeditated to augment cooperation on economic fronts, besides dealing with the common challenges, with primary focus on 10 African nations holding some 78 percent of the African gross domestic product (GDP). The policy initiative also incorporates negotiations on preferential trade agreements with three African trading blocs, namely East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The policy, purportedly having a capacity to double the trade volume of Pakistan with the continent within five years, has been welcomed by the African Group, the largest regional consortium under the umbrella of United Nations Regional Groups. In this backdrop, Pakistan Navy, apart from participating as a forefront member in the security of seal lines of communication to ensure the freedom of seas sanctioned by International maritime regimes, is eagerly taking part in reinvigorating the “Look Africa” policy to engage the African countries. The naval officials have augmented their engagements with their counterparts, as well as with the diplomatic corps and members of local communities in Africa – Pakistan Navy engaged with the officials and community members of eight states including Morocco, Mauritania, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles and Nigeria during the past couple of months – with an objective to promote cooperative relations with the African nations.
Moreover, Pakistan Navy, to promote the soft image of Pakistan through naval diplomacy, also
established medical camps and distributed free medicines on various ports to help the marginalized people of Africa.
During these engagements, the navy officials not only highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global war against terrorism and naval contributions in ensuring regional maritime security, but also drew their attentions towards atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated by the Indian armed forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir, notably in the aftermath of illegal annexation of the disputed Kashmir region as decreed by the UN resolutions, and urged the international community to break silence over the plights of Kashmiri people. In this context, it can be argued that Pakistan Navy has been undertaking significant initiatives to translate the historical and religious bonds with African countries into working relationship to open other avenues for further collaboration; however, there is a need to transcend these cooperative measures in social, economic and political spheres. For this, Pakistan needs to increase its diplomatic presence by assigning separate designated diplomatic missions in different countries. These engagements will not only strengthen its bilateral relations, but will also help augmenting cooperation in diverse spheres.
Being the second most populous continent, Africa can prove to be a huge market for Pakistani products. Likewise, the energy resources of Africa can help Pakistan to meet its energy requirements. Apart from that, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened new avenues of cooperation at regional level. For instance, the natural resources of Africa can reach the huge market in China through Pakistan. Likewise, the Sino-Pakistan cooperation will further enhance the latter’s capabilities to explore the African market and tap natural resources through joint ventures. Considering the historical and cultural ties with different African countries, there are also prospects for Pakistan to enhance cooperation in the defense sector and help them in their defense procurements. Although Pakistan Navy, in line with Pakistan’s maritime policy objectives, is eagerly involved in collaborative maritime security initiatives as well as in humanitarian endeavors to engage Africa; nevertheless, a pro-active and all-inclusive policy, as
well as collaboration among all policy institutions and stakeholders in the country, is essential to appropriately pursue its interests in Africa.
