By Gerald Mbanda.
As China rises to become the second largest economyand the first manufacturing country in the world, the U.S intensifies its campaign through western media to pull down China, and Africa has become a critical arena in the evolving rivalry between the United States and China. While this competition spans economics, technology, and military presence, it increasingly plays out through narrative warfare—what stories are told, who tells them, and to what end.
A recent example, is the Africa Defense Forum (ADF) Magazine, a publication funded and published by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Though ostensibly a platform for defense and security analysis, ADF has drawn attention for its increasingly political tone, particularly in its coverage of Chinese activities on the continent.
In recent articles, ADF ran headlines such as “The Chinese Are Getting Out of Hand in Zimbabwe” and another alleging that Chinese Mining Firms Spilt Toxic Waste in Zambia, both framed in an alarmist and accusatory tone. The pieces echo a recurring narrative: that Chinese investment in Africa is exploitative, environmentally reckless, and politically corrosive. Yet for many observers, the tone and timing of these stories raise more questions than answers.
While concerns about environmental practices, labor rights, and local corruption in extractive industries are valid across the board—be it Chinese, Western, or African firms—ADF’s consistent focus on China and its apparent drift into overt political commentary reveal deeper geopolitical motivations. The U.S. government, through AFRICOM, is not simply concerned with defense; it is actively shaping public perception in regions where China is gaining economic and strategic footholds.
Over the past two decades, China has dramatically expanded its presence in Africa. With investments in infrastructure, mining, energy, and telecommunications, Chinese firms now play a dominant role in many African economies. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, further deepened China’s involvement through large-scale infrastructure projects, often backed by soft loans and state-owned enterprises.
In contrast, the U.S. has traditionally focused its African engagement through military partnerships, counter-terrorism efforts, and, more recently, trade initiatives like Prosper Africa. The African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), has been used as a political tool to reward friendly African countries and punish others for not being obedient, depicting a skewed cooperation framework with strings attached. As China’s influence grows, Washington is seeking to reassert its presence—not just on the ground, but in the minds of African policymakers and citizens. Narrative framing becomes a strategic tool.
This is where ADF Magazine enters the fray. By portraying Chinese actors in a negative light, ADF aligns with broader U.S. messaging that frames China as a destabilizing force globally. It’s no coincidence that ADF’s criticisms of China often align with Washington’s foreign policy talking points.
The use of military-affiliated media to push political narratives is not unique to the U.S., nor is it new. However, ADF’s involvement in what appears to be political messaging—under the guise of defense reporting—blurs the line between journalism and propaganda.
Statements like “The Chinese are getting out of hand in Zimbabwe” go beyond factual reporting and veer into inflammatory rhetoric. This language feeds into populist sentiments and could inflame xenophobia, especially in countries where tensions already exist between local populations and Chinese business interests.
Ironically, while accusing China of overreach and manipulation, ADF itself appears to be engaging in soft-power projection. The goal? To influence African minds, nudge public opinion, and indirectly counter Chinese economic dominance without firing a shot.
African nations should not be treated merely as battlegrounds for great power competition. While scrutiny of foreign companies is important, it must be even-handed. Many of the environmental and labor violations attributed to Chinese companies are mirrored by Western firms operating on the continent, yet rarely receive equivalent coverage in Western-backed outlets.
African voices must remain central in shaping the narratives about their development, while rejecting politically motivated foreign narratives with a hate agenda about China. Balanced, independent journalism—free from geopolitical agendas—is essential if African citizens are to make informed decisions about their future partnerships.
