From the Bandung Conference to the Africa Forum: Indonesia–Africa Relations
The Indonesia–Africa Forum, held on September 1–3 in Bali, was unfortunately overshadowed by the China–Africa Summit that took place only days later, on September 4–6, in Beijing.
For Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, the forum
was seen as an opportunity to strengthen trade ties with Africa and explore new
export markets. However, the level of participation fell short of expectations,
as many African leaders prioritized the summit organized by China, a rapidly
expanding economic power on the global stage.
Delegates from 29 countries attended the forum, a sharp
decline compared to the 47 African nations represented at the inaugural forum
in 2018. Still, the event secured significant deals: agreements worth $94.2
million in the health sector—particularly vaccines and pharmaceuticals—along
with $1.5 billion in the energy sector and $1.2 billion in food-related
projects.
Despite African leaders’ preference for China, the
historical ties between Indonesia and Africa remain relevant. The solidarity
that emerged from the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement continues
to highlight the need to revive relations between these two regions.
The Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement
In 1955, Indonesia hosted the historic Bandung Conference on
the island of Java, bringing together Asian and African countries that had
recently gained independence in the aftermath of World War II. The aim was to
forge cooperation against Western colonialism and imperialism through
South–South solidarity.
As Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru famously put it,
the city of Bandung became “the capital of Asia and Africa” for one week. The
conference enhanced the international standing of Asian and African states,
which soon began forming a strong bloc within the United Nations.
Just a few years later, in 1961, over 100 countries that
declared themselves aligned with no major power bloc established the
Non-Aligned Movement, which became recognized as a “third force” between the
U.S. and the Soviet Union.
In 2005, the New Asian–African Strategic Partnership (NAASP)
was launched, covering three areas of cooperation: political solidarity,
economic partnership, and socio-cultural exchanges. Beyond strengthening
Asia–Africa ties, the partnership also enabled member states to adopt joint
positions on global issues, such as capacity-building for Palestine, which was
emphasized at a 2008 meeting in Jakarta.
Further institutional steps followed: in 2019, Indonesia
established the Indonesian Agency for International Development (Indonesian
AID), which has since partnered with 23 African countries on development
programs.
Indonesia’s concrete projects in Africa have largely focused
on agriculture and health. For example, under a 2021 agreement with Mozambique,
Indonesian experts provided training in modern agricultural techniques to
increase productivity. In Nigeria, cooperation in the health sector expanded to
include vaccine production and distribution.
Is the “Bandung Spirit” Enough?
For more than six decades, the Bandung Conference has served
as the symbolic foundation of Indonesia’s Africa policy. The narrative of
“Bandung” remains a powerful diplomatic tool, resonating with African leaders
and distinguishing Indonesia from other external actors. However, in today’s
geopolitical and economic landscape, historical ties alone may not suffice to
advance partnerships.
Indonesia’s competitors on the continent are far stronger in
both economic and diplomatic terms. According to data from the Indonesian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, trade between Indonesia and Africa amounted to
$13.7 billion in 2023—just 2.9% of Indonesia’s total foreign trade. This figure
pales in comparison to China–Africa trade ($282 billion), India–Africa ($103
billion), and Japan–Africa ($20 billion). Diplomatically, Indonesia also lags
behind, maintaining embassies in only 16 African countries.
These figures have fueled debate about whether Africa is
truly a priority in Indonesia’s foreign policy. President Joko Widodo did not
visit the continent until 2023, his 10th year in office. Even so, Indonesia has
hosted two Africa forums over the past decade. The outcomes of the latest forum
suggest that Indonesia must further intensify its engagement with Africa to
capitalize on emerging opportunities.
As a rapidly industrializing nation, Indonesia increasingly
relies on critical minerals and new markets, both of which Africa can provide.
Major African economies such as Nigeria and South Africa are showing interest
in energy and infrastructure partnerships, while countries like Kenya and
Tanzania are exploring cooperation in agriculture and technology.
Strengthening Indonesia–Africa relations could demonstrate
the potential of partnerships among developing economies, but success will
require more than invoking the Bandung legacy. Indonesia must adopt a
comprehensive and strategic approach—both locally and internationally—to stand
out in an increasingly competitive environment. Africa’s abundant natural
resources and expanding markets offer major opportunities, but they also
intensify competition with powers like China, India, and Turkey.
Finally, any evaluation of Indonesia’s Africa strategy
should also consider Jakarta’s limitations closer to home. As a founding member
of ASEAN, Indonesia has often struggled to respond decisively to humanitarian
crises within its own region. Gaining Africa’s trust will require Indonesia to
demonstrate the same commitment and stability that its competitors have shown
through sustained investment and engagement.
Sources:
https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/indonesias-africa-outreach-principle-or-pragmatism/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383659224_Endonezya%27nin_Afrika_Politikasi
This article was originally published in Independent Türkçe,
on September 11, 2024.
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