China’s Africa Policy and Conflict Resolution Initiatives within the Framework of One Belt and One Road Project

Öz

Conflict Resolution, as a relatively new field of study in International Relations discipline, poses significant importance in terms of the peaceful resolution of conflicts and third parties’ intervention to these conflicts via their own mediation methods. The African continent, which has experienced many conflicts and violence from past to present, is one of the regions crucially in need of conflict resolution efforts and third party roles. In addition, Africa has turned into a struggling field for great powers once again in the 21st century. One Belt One Road project strengthens China’s interest, influence and investments towards the region. As a strong rival, China’s presence in Africa brings the discussion on responsibility and responsible power with it. However, the responsibility on its own is not sufficient to explain whether great powers as third parties contribute or lead the conflict resolution and peace initiatives on the continent. At this point, the rational motivations and interests of third parties come into play. This study deals with China’s policies towards Africa and the conflict resolution approach within the framework of One Belt One Road project and third parties’ responsibilities, rational interests, and motivations.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Africa
• Belt and Road Project
• China
• Conflict Resolution
• Mediation

Bir Kuşak Bir Yol Projesi Çerçevesinde Çin’in Afrika Politikası ve Çatışma Çözümü Yaklaşımı

Öz

Uluslararası İlişkiler disiplininde yeni bir çalışma alanı olan Çatışma Çözümü, özellikle üçüncü tarafların arabuluculuk yöntemini kullanarak soruna müdahil olması ve çatışmaların barışçıl yollarla çözülmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır. Geçmişten günümüze pek çok çatışma ve şiddete sahne olan Afrika kıtası, çatışma çözümü çabalarına ve üçüncü taraf rollerine önemli ölçüde ihtiyaç duyulan bölgelerden biridir. Ayrıca Afrika, 21. yüzyılda büyük güçler için yeniden bir mücadele alanına dönüşmektedir. Bir Kuşak Bir Yol projesi, Çin’in bölgeye ilgisini, etkisini ve yatırımlarını güçlendirmektedir. Güçlü bir rakip olarak Çin’in Afrika'daki varlığı, “sorumluluk” ve “sorumlu güç” tartışmasını beraberinde getirmektedir. Ancak sorumluluk, üçüncü taraf olarak büyük güçlerin kıt'adaki çatışma çözümü veya barış girişimlerine katkı vermesi veya öncülük etmesini açıklamaya tek başına yetmemektedir. Bu noktada, üçüncü tarafların rasyonel motivasyon ve çıkarları devreye girmektedir. Bu çalışma, Çin’in Afrika’ya yönelik politikalarını ve çatışma çözümü yaklaşımını, Bir Kuşak Bir Yol projesi çerçevesinde ve üçüncü tarafların sorumluluk, rasyonel çıkar ve motivasyonları kapsamında ele almaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Afrika
• Arabuluculuk
• Çatışma Çözümü
• Çin
• Kuşak-Yol Peojesi

Kaynakça

1. Achankeng, Michael Fonkem, “Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Engaging the Colonial Factor”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution 13, no. 2, (2013): 11-38.
2. Anshan, Li, “China and Africa: Policy and Challenges”, China Security 3, no. 3, (2007), 69-93.
3. Armengol, Vicenc Fisas, The Principles of Mediation and the Role of Third Parties in Peace Processes, (Norwegian Peacebuilding Research Center-NOREF, September 2013).
4. Arslan, Havva Kök ve Fırat Çapan, “Çatışma Çözümüne Temel Yaklaşımlar”, Barışı Konuşmak: Teori ve Pratikte Çatışma Yönetimi, ed. Nezir Akyeşilmen, (Ankara: ODTÜ Yayıncılık, 2014).
5. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIBB), https://www.aiib.org/en/index.html (Erişim: 04.05.2020).
6. Axt, Heiz-Jürgen, Antonio Milososki and Oliver Schwarz, “Conflict: A Literature Review”, (Duisburg: Duisburg Essen University Department of Social Sciences and Institute for Political Science, 2006).
7. Bayram, Mürsel, Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti’nin Afrika Politikası, (The USA: Create Space Independent Publishing, 2018).
8. Bercovitch, Jacob and Allison Houston, “The Study of International Mediation: Theoretical Issues and Empirical Evidence”, Resolving International Conflicts: The Theory and Practice of Mediation, ed. Jacob Bercovitch, (Boulder: Lynne Reinner, 1996): 11-35.

9. Bercovitch, Jacob and Richard Jackson, Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Century, (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2009).
10. Bercovitch, Jacob, “Third Parties in Conflict Management: The Structure and Conditions of Effective Mediation in International Relations”, International Journal 40, no. 4 (1985), 736-752.
11. Boon, Hoo Tiang, China’s Global Identity: Considering the Responsibilities of Great Power, (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2018).
12. Brautigam, Deborah, “A Critical Look at Chinese ‘Debt-trap Diplomacy’: The Rise of a Meme”, Area Development and Policy. 5, no. 1, (2019), 1-14.
13. Breuer, Julia, “Two Belts, One Road? The role of Africa in China’s Belt & Road initiative”, Blickwechsel, Stiftung Asienhaus, 2017, https://www.asienhaus.de (Erişim: 04.05.2020).
14. Brooks, Peter, Ji Hye Shin, “China’s Influence in Africa: Implications for the United States”, the Heritage Foundation, (2006): 1, https://www.heritage.org (Erişim: 12.05.2020).
15. Broomfield, Emma V., “Perceptions of Danger: The China Threat Theory”, Journal of Contemporary China 12, no. 35, (2003): 265-284.
16. Butler, Michael J., International Conflict Management, (New York: Routledge, 2009).
17. Chaziza, Mordechai, “China’s Approach to Mediation in the Middle East: Between Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management”, May 8, Middle East Institute, (2018), https://www.mei.edu (Erişim: 20.05.2020).
18. “China’s Approach to Peace in Africa is Different. How and Why?”, The Conversation, 27 Ocak 2020, https://theconversation.com (Erişim: 30.05.2020).
19. Chris Alden, China in Africa, (London: Zed Books, 2007).
20. Cilliers, Jakkie, Violence in Africa: Trends, Drivers and Prospects to 2023, (Institute for Security Studies, 2018).
21. Conteh-Morgan, Earl, China’s Non-Interference Dilemma, 2 Ağustos 2018, https://www.policyforum.net (Erişim: 07.05.2020).
22. Degang, Sun and Yahia Zoubir, “China’s Participation in Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and North Africa: A Case of Quasi-Mediation Diplomacy”, Journal of Contemporary China 27, no. 110, (2018): 224-243.
23. Dent, Christopher M., China and Africa Development Relations, (London: Routledge, 2010).
24. Edward Azar and John W. Burton, International Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice, (Boulder: Lynne Rienner and Wheatsheaf, 1986).
25. Enuka, Chuka, “The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC): A Framework for China’s Re Engagement with Africa in the 21st Century”, Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences 30, no. 2, (2010), 209-218.
26. Forum on China Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, https://www.focac.org/eng/ltjj_3/ltjz/ (Erişim: 10.05.2020).
27. Galtung, Johan, Transcend and Transform, (London: Pluto Press, 2004).
28. Galtung, Johan, Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization, (Oslo: International Peace Research Institute, 1996).
29. Githaiga, Nancy Muthoni, Alfred Burimaso, Wang Bing and Salum Mohammed Ahmed, “The Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Risks for Africa’s Connectivity”, China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 5, no. 1, (2019), 117–141.
30. Gounden, Vasu, Conflict Trends 2018/3, The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, https://www.accord.org.za (Erişim: 14.03.2020).
31. Green Belt and Road Initiative Center, https://green-bri.org (Erişim: 04.05.2020).
32. Griffiths, Ieuan Ll., The African Inheritance, (London and New York: Routledge, 1995).
33. Hirono, Miwa, Yang Jiang and Marc Lanteigne, “China’s New Roles and Behavior in Conflict-Affected Regions: Reconsidering Non-Interference and Non-Intervention”, The China Quarterly 239, (2019), 1-21.
34. Ikome, Francis Nguendi Africa’s International Borders as Potential Sources of Conflict and Future Threats to Peace and Security, (Institute for Security Studies, 2012).
35. Kleven, Anthony, “Belt and Road: Colonialism with Chinese Characteristics”, The Interpreter, (2019), https://www.lowyinstitute.org (Erişim: 03.05.2020).
36. Kriesberg, Louis, “The Evolution of Conflict Resolution”, The SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution, ed. Jacob Bercovitch vd., (Thosand Oaks: Sage, 2009)
37. Li, Wang and Paul Dottin, “Behind China’s Peacekeeping Missions in Africa: Interpreting Beijing’s Strategic Considerations” 7, no. 14, (2011): 1-16.
38. Li, Zhaoxing, “Peace, Development and Cooperation: Banner for China’s Diplomacy in the New Era”, Chinese Journal of International Law 4, no. 2, (2005): 677-683.
39. Liu, Zhen, “China offers to mediate Djibouti-Eritrea border row as it expands military presence in Africa”, South China Morning Post, 25 July 2017, https://www.scmp.com (Erişim: 22.05.2020).
40. M’Baye, Babacar, “The Economic, Political and Social Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa”, The European Legacy 11, no. 6, (2006): 607-622.
41. Maini, Tridivesh Singh, Mahitha Lingala, “BRI and the China-Ethiopia Relationship”, The Geopolitics, December 10, 2019, https://thegeopolitics.com (Erişim: 22.05.2020).
42. Mead, Nick Van, “China in Africa: win-win development, or a new colonialism?”, The Guardian, 31 July 2018, https://www.theguardian.com (Erişim: 12.05.2020).
43. Moore, Christopher W., The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict, (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2014).
44. Neethling, Theo, “China’s International peacekeeping Contributions and the Evolution of Contemporary Chinese Strategic Considerations”, Strategic Review for Southern Africa 37, no. 2, (2015): 12-14.
45. Ndiku, Kisuke, Conflict in Kenya, Transconflict, http://www.transconflict.com (Erişim: 18.05.2020).
46. Özerdem, Alparslan, Barış İnşası Kuram ve Uygulaması, (Ankara: Nobel Akademik, 2013).
47. Pruitt, Dean G., Negotiation Behavior, New York: Academic Press, 1981).
48. Ramsbotham, Oliver, Tom Woodhouse and Hugh Miall, Contemporary Conflict Resolution: The Prevention, Management and Transformation of Deadly Conflicts, (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2011)
49. Reychler, Luc and Arnim Langer, Researching Peace Building Architecture, (Leuven: Centre for Peace Reearch and Strategic Studies, 2006).
50. Shaban, Abdur Rahman Alfa, “Eritrea-Djibouti border dispute: China opts to intervene”, Africa News, 23 July 2017, https://www.africanews.com (Erişim: 22.05.2020).
51. Shelton, Garth, Farhana Paruk, The Forum on China Africa Cooperation: A Strategic Opportunity, Institute for Security Studies, (2008), https://www.files.ethz.ch (Erişim: 08.05.2020).
52. Shinn, David H., “Africa: the US and China Court the Continent”, Journal of International Affairs 62, no. 2, (2009), 37-53.
53. Siniver, Asaf, “Managing and Settling Ethnic Conflict”, The Routledge Handbook of Ethnic Conflict, ed. Karl Cordell and Stefan Wolff, (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016).
54. Smith, Noah, “Africa Isn’t Being Recolonized”, Bloomberg, (2019), https://www.bloomberg.com (Erişim: 12.05.2020).
55. Sultan, Hend ElMahly Mahhoud and Degang Sun, “China’s Participation in the Conflict Resolution in Sudan and South Sudan: A Case of “Creative Mediation”, BRIQ 1, no. 2, (2020), 1-23.
56. “The Hopeless Continent”, The Economist, https://www.economist.com (Erişim: 10.03.2020).
57. Van der Meulen, Emma and Frans-Paul van der Putten, Great Powers and International Conflict Management: European and Chinese Involvement in the Darfur and Iran Crises, (Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, January 2009).
58. Vukovic, Sinisa, “International Mediation as a Distinct Form of Conflict Management”, International Journal of Conflict Management 25, no. 1, (2014), 61-80.
59. Wallensteen, Peter, Understanding Conflict Resolution: War, Peace and the Global System, (London: Sage, 2002).
60. Webel, Cahrles and Johan Galtung, Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies, (London and New York: Routledge, 2007).
61. Williams, Paul D., “Continuity and Change in War and Conflict in Africa”, Prism 6, no. 4, (2017), https://cco.ndu.edu (Erişim: 21.04.2020).
62. World Politics Review, “In Kenya, ‘One Belt, One Road” is Changing Local Views of Chinese Investment”, 6 June 2017, https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com (Erişim: 15.05.2020).
63. Xia, Liping, “China: A Responsible Great Power”, Journal of Contemporary China 10, no. 26, (2001), 12-25.
64. Yong, Deng, “China: The Post-Responsible Power”, The Washingto Quarterly, (2015), 117-132.
65. Zartman, I. William and Saadia Touval, “International Mediation: Conflict Resolution and Power Politics”, Journal of Social Issues 41, no. 2, (1985), 27-45.
66. Zhiqun, Zhu, China’s New Diplomacy: Rationale, Strategies and Significance, (UK, Ashgate Publishing Company, 2010).
67. ZiroMwatela, Raphael, Zhao Changfeng, “Africa in China’s‘One Belt, One Road’Initiative: A Critical Analysis”, IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) 21, no. 12, ver. 1 (2016), 10-21.
68. Zoellick, Robert B., Whither China: From Membership to Responsibility, (New York: September 2005), https://www.kas.de (Erişim: 05.05.2020).