CEDESA dinner on March 25, 2025

Trump and Africa: Victory for China and Russia?

The Dinner-Debate included in CEDESA’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Angola’s Independence took place on March 25 at the Pestana Palace in Lisbon, with the theme Trump and Africa: Victory for China and Russia?

In attendance were academics, journalists and businesspeople with links to Angola, a diverse group of personalities who debated the topic in a lively and free manner, without factionalism and in a constructive way.

We had a former PSD deputy-coordinator of the Assembly of the Republic’s Foreign Affairs Committee who moderated the debate, journalists from LUSA, Jornal de Negócios, Correio da Manhã, DW and RTP Africa, and professors from Portuguese and foreign universities.

There was a great deal of interest in the topic, highlighting the intensification of Russia’s efforts to establish itself in Africa through military agreements, the constant and pragmatic presence of China, new players such as India and Turkey, the possibilities opening up for the European Union, and the absenteeism of the US, which has already led to an increase in conflicts in Africa. The African situation is unstable, borders can change and wars can spread. These were the main conclusions.

Attendance was richer and more relevant.