Following the conclusion of the first G20 summit held on African soil, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled a renewed and intensified focus on the African continent within Germany’s foreign policy agenda. Addressing the summit’s close in Johannesburg, Merz asserted unequivocally that “without Africa, there will be no solutions for the major questions of our time”. This statement marks a significant shift, emphasizing Africa’s vital role in addressing global challenges and advocating for a more equitable representation of the continent within multilateral frameworks.
The Chancellor outlined a strategy to strategically expand partnerships with Africa, prioritizing trade, resource management and energy cooperation. Highlighting the continent’s youthful demographic and untapped potential, Merz framed investment in Africa as an investment in the future, a sentiment designed to attract broader international commitment. While acknowledging the complexities inherent in such endeavors, the commitment displayed implies a potential realignment of German economic and diplomatic priorities.
The summit also served as a backdrop for discussions concerning the numerous crises and conflicts plaguing Africa, with particular focus on the ongoing war in Sudan. Merz reaffirmed Germany’s continued role as a key provider of humanitarian aid and its participation in stabilization efforts. However, this commitment, while laudable, raises questions regarding the efficacy of solely humanitarian interventions in resolving deeply rooted political and economic instability. Critics are likely to demand a more robust and politically engaged approach to addressing the underlying causes of these crises, rather than merely reacting to their consequences.
The United States’ absence from the summit, despite the presentation of a 28-point “peace plan” for the Ukraine conflict devised by President Trump, cast a shadow over proceedings. Chancellor Merz expressed considerable skepticism regarding the plan’s immediate prospects, stating he was “not yet convinced” of its potential for a swift resolution. Trump’s stated goal of securing a resolution by Thursday appeared, according to Merz, “very far removed” from reality, despite not being entirely impossible. This divergence in expectations between the German and American leadership underscores a widening chasm in approaches to the conflict and potentially complicates ongoing diplomatic efforts. The absence of the US, coupled with Merz’s cautionary remarks, suggests a growing disconnect between the Trump administration’s ambitions and the practical realities on the ground and a potential strain on transatlantic relations surrounding Ukraine.