A Call from Africa to the Governments of the United States of America, France, Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan, Germany, Spain, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iran.

By Guy Feugap, World BEYOND War, December 6, 2024

Guy Feugap is Africa Organizer of World BEYOND War.

World BEYOND War is a global grassroots network of chapters and affiliates advocating for the abolition of the institution of war and its replacement with an alternative global security system. The African chapters of World BEYOND War have organized the second “Imagine Africa Beyond War” regional Peace Conference, held virtually on November 15 and 16, 2024.

The Africa Regional Peace Conference opened discussions on wars and war-driven factors that prevent the African continent from envisioning sustainable peace and explored opportunities to picture what Africa beyond war is really like, by showcasing the perspectives of activists in the continent who are challenging the structural causes of wars. 761 registrants from 86 countries were deeply worried by the human cost of wars in Africa, not to mention the social, economic and environmental impacts.

Millions of people are dying in Africa; others are displaced because of wars. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and the Central African Republic are among the countries with the highest rates of internal displacement in the world. Mass violence, human rights violations, and sexual violence are widespread, leaving deep scars on local populations.

According to the speakers at the Conference, wars and instability are sustained as a result of foreign country’s activities. Foreign countries continue economic exploitation, colonialism in Africa. They intervene through so-called peacekeeping missions, military bases, logistical and military support, arms sales and mercenaries, etc.

In Djibouti only, a small East African country, we can find numerous military bases belonging to France, China, the United States, Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy, including:

• U.S.: Camp Lemonnier, (4,000 troops),
• France and Spain: Les forces françaises stationnées à Djibouti, (1,500 troops),
• China: People’s Liberation Army Support Base, (1,500 troops with room for 10,000),
• Japan: “Self-Defense” Force Base,
• Italy: Base militare italiana di supporto “Amedeo Guillet,”
• France, U.S., Japan, and Italy: Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport,
• France, U.S., and Germany: Chabelley Airfield,
• Saudi Arabia: reportedly building a base,

In the war in Sudan, The United Arab Emirates is supplying ammunition to the Rapid Support Forces; Iran is supplying drones to the Sudanese Armed Forces; Russia and Ukraine, because of their conflict, keep the war going with their weapons, military equipment and troops.

In the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, China and Russia are playing an important role. The DRC has become a battleground for geopolitical rivalry, in a kind of new “Cold War” between East and West. The Russian government recently approved a draft military cooperation agreement with the DRC, with initiatives such as sending military specialists to maintain the military equipment already supplied. In addition, the Wagner group has been reported supporting Congolese forces, adding a worrying dimension to the conflict.

As Africans, we are very concerned by this situation, which seriously compromises Africa’s chances of aspiring to a peaceful future. That’s why we are asking foreign countries to withdraw their troops and close their bases wherever they are in Africa, to stop supplying weapons and military support, but instead let African countries determine their own priorities and development strategies.

World BEYOND War hereby declares its availability to discuss actions towards peace and development of Africa, for a just and peaceful world.