ANNUAL REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA No. 21 (2018-2019)

Abstract

Due to the history of colonization and the particularity in the process of the formation of countries, the society of African countries presents features of "cultural impureness" : there are many different cultural entities in a single country, which highlighted the fact that most African countries are heterogeneous social complexes where a variety of ethnic and religious groups are found. Statistics show that Africa is the continent with the largest number of ethnic groups and the most complex religious components in the world, each of which has its own religious beliefs. Tensions of religious relations and frequent inter-ethnic conflicts are undoubtedly an important factor which led to disharmony in or between African countries since their independence. The complexity of African ethnic and religious problems lies in the fact that there is a considerable correlation, sometimes even a reciprocal causation between the two issues. As the objects of basic research, ethnic and religious topics are also at the forefront of applied research. Without a thorough understanding of African ethnic and religious problems, it would be a great challenge to arrive at a precise analysis of African issues. In order to gain a deeper understanding of Africa as well as Africans and to promote people to people exchanges between China and Africa, “ African ethnic relations and religious beliefs" has been chosen as the theme of this year's African Annual Development Report.

The Report is composed of six units: Main Report, Sub-Report, Special Report, Countries, Situations, Market Assessment and Documentation. Contributors are from Institute of West Asian and African Studies (IWAAS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) , China-Africa Institute (CAI), Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) of the Ministry of Commerce, Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China-Africa Development Fund, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR ) , Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) , Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, and Minzu University of China.

The Main Report elaborates on the implementation of achievements of the FOCAC Beijing Summit 2018 and the outlook of building China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership. The Sub-Reports make in-depth analysis and predictions regarding the situations and new trends of regional politics, security, economics of Africa as well as relations between African countries and world powers. From perspectives of the whole African continent or different single African countries, the Special Reports give a comprehensive study on situations, political influences and development trend of religious beliefs (Islam, African Christianity) and ethnic groups in Africa. Countries, Situations are composed of researches on South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, which include assessments and predictions on occurred major events regarding their politics, economy, security and foreign affairs. Market Assessment updates the studies regarding Africa's foreign trade, investment and aid from the outside world, and African engineering markets in 2018. The Documentation includes China's African Studies in 2018, a chronology of Africa, and a chart on macro-economic indicators for African countries.

Keywords: Africa；Political Situation; Economic Development; Ethnic Relations; Religious Beliefs; China-Africa Relations