By Victor Massaquoi (PhD)
Introduction
The politics and processes inherent in Global Governance are dramatically entwined in the recent history of several global events – Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel, and Hamas, the Sahel and Myanmar (not exhaustive). With over 75 active conflicts, globally – from political miscalculations to wars, disagreements on trade (other) policies, management of natural resources, climate change and global information systems management, the world is on the edge. All it takes is just one push of a button and we are all fried. Scary!
Historically, what we are experiencing today between these two (Russia and China) traces its origin to the 19th century. But beyond the rivalry during the Cold War, the Sino-Russo relationship moves ahead along the trend of the times toward multi-polarity, challenging the US for global dominance and exploring opportunities in regions and countries to consolidate their geopolitical strengths, and if possible, expose weaknesses in American Foreign Policy.
This short analysis was motivated by the desire to contribute to intellectual discourses hoovering around global events insinuated by the US, Russia and China, and their implications for Africa (Sierra Leone).
Analysis of Key Variables
BRICS
The founders of BRICS believe in economic expansion and trade promotion among its members. From research, it is believed that BRICS is an economic bloc set up to rival G-7, IMF, and WB … or is it merely a “Boys Club” with members of similar psychology and aspirations? There are several schools of thought providing alternative explanations for the formation and operationalization of BRICS.
However, socioeconomic experts and commentators believe that BRICS acts as a meeting platform for its members and invitees to critically discuss economics and other social development strategies for the enhancement of the social well-being of their countries.
Unfortunately, there are multiple questions still swirling around the formation and operations of BRICS – the intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. News making the rounds on Social Media suggests that Nigeria, Ethiopia and others have been accepted as members – the process is still being confirmed. Nationally, the key question is, would Sierra Leone’s current or future economic policy shifts her direction towards BRICS?
Ukraine
The War in Ukraine is rhetorically interesting! Simply put, it is a proxy war of “ideologies and values” contested by the East (Sino-Russo) and West (US). Who wins is anyone’s guess. Thousands of lives and billions of properties have been neutralized or wasted or lie ruined. One-third (1/3) of this vast Country (Ukraine), once a food basket of the world, is in the hands of the Russians. But as Beckman (2000) wrote, for as long as there are nuclear weapons, contesting political and diplomatic ideologies, rogue elements and money, there would be disagreements and wars.
The Ukraine war (over 10 years now, February 2014) exhibits not only a cliff-hanging drama in the tripartite relationship between/among the US-China – Russia but a war drama in the most allegorical form spiced with allegations of disguised support (yet to be proven) levelled by the US on China, gradually chipping away the residual fibre that has held this diplomatic union for over 100 years.
The vague statements and speeches blanketed by non-committal behaviour by the Chinese are fuelling the US’s continued belief that the Chinese are helping the Russians to decimate an independent country, a member state of the UN. The Sino-Soviet denial is palpable.
The UN (UNITED NATIONS)
My International Law professor used to say, and I paraphrase: that the UN is a very complex entity with international laws, norms and principles. Almost 200 countries constitute it. After WW2 it has become the biggest global governance entity in virtually every nook and cranny of the world. Dominant in this global outfit are three countries – the US, China and Russia, even though, five countries form what they call “permanent members” of the Security Council.
Now, of the five permanent members, there is a massive ideological divide, with China and Russia on one side while the US, France and the UK are on the other side. And did I say they have “Veto Power”, yes they do – to null or put a stop or hold to a decision. This singular power, commentators believe, is eroding global peace and security – the very philosophical basis for the morphing of the League of Nations into the UN.
This Sino-Soviet alliance, impregnated by a sharp ideological divide, plays out in full view at the UN. So, too, the US and Western partners demonstrate their own alliance to the detriment or betterment (depends on one’s perspective) to the world. Interestingly, Sierra Leone now occupies a non-permanent seat in the Security Council and is a friend to the US, Russia and China.
Aggressive Diplomatic Momentum
The recent shuttle diplomacy by Washington, and the intensification of exchange visits between Moscow and Beijing and the frequencies, sizes and purposes of visits by smaller member-states of the UN to those countries, have raised multiple questions by experts in diplomacy, international relations and politics. Sierra Leone was in Russia and China, recently.
Lately, there was news reports that Russia is to re-establish diplomatic ties with Sierra Leone, Niger and others in sub-Sahara Africa. This expressed intent (or act done already) has drawn concerns from different diplomatic quarters. We await the full report of this renewed diplomatic tie and the direction of this renewed friendship.
Implications for Africa (Sierra Leone)
The Sino-Russo Alliance has implications, and the implications are manifold, but to name a few:
Global peace is seated on a tectonic plate (any unanticipated shift will have consequences) – a powder keg waiting to explode (if not careful) into, maybe, Third World War, especially now with the proliferation of arms and ammunition and the acquisition of nuclear weapons for military purposes and the jostling for global geopolitical advantage and mineral wealth
The AU can do two things: 1) meticulously follow the carefully designed prescription in Vision 2063 – the development agenda for socioeconomic growth in Africa and, 2) as independent countries, judiciously and purposefully renew, deepen and establish diplomatic ties with other countries as ECOWAS’ Protocols on free movement of its citizens are being implemented (the new ECOWAS ID)
Sierra Leone must not allow her present state to degenerate into a policy of expediency but to carefully design and implement a Strategic International Relations Plan that would reflect current reality and reposition herself for predictable future uncertainties
Conclusion
As Karns, et al (2015) suggest and I subscribe to that thought, that the current debate in International Relations is whether one should focus on measuring and explaining human behaviour and institutions objectively, through positivist or rationalist theoretical lens or whether we should focus on interpreting the language and symbols of social interaction through constructivist or nonrationalist lens.
In modern diplomacy, we cannot fault the alliance between the Chinese and the Russians, just as the Americans have many multi, bipolar relationships for specific reasons/benefits. This is key since values, rules, norms and identities play central role alongside traditional interests like Military and Economics in Global Governance, when we form relationships.
Sierra Leone today, has renewed hope in the frontiers of International Relations. Our presence in the Security Council and other global leadership positions we hold, have repositioned the country for greater height if we know how to leverage on these social capitals.
This renewed focus on our Country, by world powers, should reignite serious intellectual, non-political (domestically) and practical thinking, with one aim – socioeconomic development for our people. As they say in the US – “in International Relations, there is no permanent enemy but permanent interest(s)” that would yield perks for our people within the values system of our Country (Sierra Leone). END