China’s Silent Storm in Sierra Leone

There are many faces to China’s presence in Sierra Leone and its present role there. Chinese investments, ‘gifts’ and trading activities have gone some way to reshaping the stereotype of Beijing as solely an exploiter of Africa’s minerals resources.

Can member states develop a meaningful trade agenda?

Photo (c) GCIS

‘Don’t talk to me about giblets,’ International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane reportedly said during last week’s BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) business summit. This remark reveals several things about the nature of the BRICS forum, and co-operation on trade matters in particular.

Unpacking South Africa’s BRICS in Africa equation

Photo (c) GCIS

In a move that has generated much excitement, South Africa has invited representatives from various African continental institutions, including regional economic blocs to the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Summit (26-27 March 2013).

2013 BRICS Youth Communique: The Proposed BRICS Development Bank

Photo © Riona Judge McCormack/ SAIIA

On 16 March 2013 SAIIA brought together outstanding South African high school learners to host their own model BRICS Summit to discuss the creation of the BRICS Development Bank. Each school represented one of the five BRICS countries in a special negotiation session that resulted in the creation of a BRICS Youth Communiqué.