Review 2023: The Global South
In 2023, the world's attention was focused on the events in the Global South, which had a significant impact on the geopolitical and economic map of the world. An increasing number of states stopped being guided by pro-Western ideas and began to recognise the need to create a multipolar world where each country would have equal rights and make sovereign foreign policy decisions based solely on its own interests and national priorities. Thus, some states have strengthened intergovernmental co-operation by signing bilateral agreements on trade, science and education, participating in international summits, meetings and joining new multilateral associations. At the same time, territorial disputes and internal conflicts have not been avoided despite the transformation of the foreign policy of the Global South. However, the pursuit of independence, self-determination and stability in the region shows a great step forward and a desire to ensure the well-being of their state.
Opportunities for new countries after joining BRICS
Over the past two years, with Russia's special military operation in Ukraine and the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, the economies of most countries in the world have been on the verge of crisis or in recession: many states have suffered significant financial losses and have been forced to urgently rearrange logistics routes and seek new strategic partners in the East. This situation slowed down the economic growth and development of the states, but at the same time served as a basis for the interest of more than 30 countries to cooperate and another 20 to join one of the influential interstate blocs BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The aim of this grouping was to create a mutually beneficial partnership and ensure financial and social stability in each of the member countries, which in the current circumstances is important for both existing members of the union and those applying to join BRICS.
Talks about expanding the union have been going on since 2022 and were first voiced by China at a meeting of foreign ministers. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the accession of other states to the alliance would strengthen influence on the world stage, enhance economic potential and expand opportunities for global governance based on the principles of mutual respect - in particular, it would provide a level playing field for both developed and developing countries. Therefore, in August 2023, at the XV BRICS summit in Johannesburg, six states were invited to join the bloc from the 1st January next year, among them Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.
The admission of new members to the union caused a great resonance in the global community: Western media and politicians expressed concern about the expansion of the association despite the fact that initially they did not take BRICS seriously, ignoring and underestimating its importance. Thus, considering the new participants, the share of GDP of the BRICS countries was 37 % of the global volume, and the share of the inhabitants of these countries was 46 % of the world's population. According to the union members, this is not the last expansion of the bloc, the states are ready to accept new participants who share the ideas of forming a multipolar world, abandoning the US dollar in export and import operations and creating a single currency of the association.
Thus, before the libertarian Javier Milei came to power in November 2023, Argentina sought to join the BRICS in order to strengthen its economic position, get rid of the ever-increasing inflation of the Argentine peso and become less dependent on the dollar and the United States. But joining the bloc could worsen Buenos Aires' relations with the countries of the collective West, which could not be allowed by the new President of Argentina, whose position was radically different from the strategy chosen by the previous leadership of the country. Javier Milei refused to join BRICS and proclaimed the beginning of "shock therapy", which would affect both the economic sector and the foreign policy of the state.
During his election campaign, the Argentine President said he would abolish the Central Bank, stop issuing national currency and move to full dollarisation, privatise state-owned enterprises to reduce budget expenditures and deepen relations with the US, Israel and the West, but since the first days after the inauguration, some of the promises made before taking the oath of office have been revised. For example, Javier Milei expressed his willingness to improve diplomatic relations between Argentina and China, despite the fact that during the election race he spoke about the possible termination of ties with Beijing at the official level. And the categorical statement by Argentina's future Foreign Minister Diana Mondino that Argentina will not join BRICS due to its inability to pay the membership fee to the New Development Bank is now also in question. Before making a final decision, the new President's team will have to analyse the feasibility of joining the bloc, analysing all the pros and cons of a possible accession. At the same time, the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, contrary to the policy of the Argentine leader, has expressed its desire to autonomously join BRICS+, as it sees the prospect of developing economic and trade partnership with the member countries of the association.
Impact of the G-20 Outcomes on Countries in the Global South
Following the BRICS Summit in September 2023, another international conference, the G20 Summit, was held in India's capital, New Delhi. The main theme of the summit was directly related to assistance to the states of the Global South and an inclusive approach to solving their problems. G20 leaders recognised the importance of growth and progress for all countries, especially developing economies, and concluded a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements to support infrastructure development, access to finance and strengthen technological cooperation, as well as a decision to include the African Union in the G20.
The desire of the association of 55 states of the Black Continent to join the G20 was dictated by both economic and political factors: it could provide the African Union with new opportunities to attract foreign investment, expand trade relations and develop its economy, and, more importantly, the right to fully participate in the mechanisms of global governance.
Also during the summit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Germany, India, Italy, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US, France and the European Union, which cemented the creation of a new India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor to promote commercial activity, secure energy supply and increase digital co-operation. According to experts, this initiative is perceived as a challenge to China's Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure project: in this way, the US and the EU are trying to bring India, a long-standing and reliable partner, to the forefront, depriving China of its economic superiority on the world stage. However, despite the positive measures adopted at the summit, countries in the Global South still remain vulnerable. They need additional support and assistance to achieve sustainable economic and social development.
Crises of the Global South
In addition to international summits and productive regional meetings of leaders from the Global South, 2023 also saw several events involving a series of political disagreements and military conflicts, including changes of power.
For example, in July this year there was a military coup in the Republic of Niger led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, as a result of which the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was removed from the leadership of the country and the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland was formed. The discontent of the rebels was mainly caused by the pro-Western attitude of the President, who actively promoted the interests of the USA, France and the EU in Niger. The population of the state was divided into two opposing camps: some rallied for the release of the President and the inviolability of democracy in the country, but were quickly dispersed by security forces, while others were in favour of overthrowing the pro-Western head of state and preserving the country's sovereignty in internal and external affairs.
As a consequence of the Niamey uprising, Nigerian airspace was closed to the world and the Transitional Government declared that no outside interference in the affairs of the State was possible. Moreover, the rebels announced an armed response in the event of a foreign contingent entering the country.
The July mutiny in Niger was the starting point of a crisis not only for the Sahel region but also for the whole world: the UN, the African Union, the EU and the US condemned the military action in Niamey, while the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bola Tinubu, in turn imposed sanctions and gave the rebels in Niger a week to establish constitutional order in order to avoid the Union military invasion he had announced during an emergency summit. As for those most interested in maintaining a partnership with the Republic - Washington and Paris - they faced a choice between a military invasion and overthrow of the self- proclaimed government or a peaceful withdrawal of their troops and acceptance of the terms of co-operation of the new head of Niger. As a result, both states were forced to reduce or completely withdraw their military contingents from the Republic's territory by the end of the year, and in the case of France, Emmanuel Macron also announced the withdrawal of the French ambassador from Niamey.
However, not all countries condemned the military coup: despite the fact that Mali and Burkina Faso are members of ECOWAS, their leaders promised to support the rebels in case of military intervention by the Union's forces, as the countries form another association - the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). And for Russia and China, the change of the pro-Western government in the Republic has opened additional opportunities for co-operation with the resource-rich country. Thus, since Abdourahamane Tchiani came to power, representatives of Moscow and Niamey have held a number of meetings aimed at deepening cooperation in the fields of health, agriculture and security, as well as signed a document of understanding aimed at strengthening defence cooperation.
According to Ali Mahamane Lamine Zaine, Foreign Minister of Niger, the Republic will henceforth maintain an independent position solely in the interest of the Nigerian people and in order to achieve economic and defence sovereignty. The state is therefore open to co-operation with new trading partners in the economic, social and military spheres.
Another event that destabilised the entire Arabian Peninsula and affected the global community was the outbreak of another localised Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023. In response to the Palestinian operation "Al-Aqsa Flood", the Israeli army IDF launched counter-terrorist operation "Iron Swords", during which thousands of rockets were fired towards the enclave and about 10,000 targets were destroyed: warehouses with weapons, mines, tunnels and command centres of the enemy. Another confrontation between Hamas, the ruling group in the Gaza Strip, and Israel has so far claimed the lives of more than 21,000 civilians on both sides and destroyed much of the Gaza Strip's infrastructure.
But despite the temporary ceasefire, humanitarian pauses and the growing number of casualties, the countries are still unable to reach a compromise on the ceasefire and territorial dispute, so it is difficult to predict the duration and outcome of the conflict. However, it is worth noting that an inter-ethnic clash that has lasted for many years cannot end in peace overnight, especially given the involvement of other states in the dispute.
Thus, almost all Middle Eastern countries supported Hamas's position, and some - Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria - openly spoke out in defence of their brotherly people and expressed their readiness to enter the conflict in case of the US intervention. Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, for example, have warned that they will also attack Israel if Washington intervenes militarily in the standoff against the group.
Thousands of Muslims showed their loyalty to Palestine by organising a number of marches and demonstrations around the world. And Saudi Arabia, for its part, suspended negotiations to stabilise relations between Israel and the Kingdom, supporting the Palestinian people in their desire for freedom, peace and justice in the region. Even Egypt, a state known for its long-term and fruitful cooperation with Israel, has voiced its support for the Palestinians, but at the same time declared its readiness to mediate between Israel and Palestine to resolve the conflict, as it already did in 2018.
As for Tel Aviv, its supporters include Israel's long-time ally that regularly provides military support to IDF forces, Washington (since 2001, the United States has given Israel $63.1 bn). According to the USA President Joe Biden, support for Israel is a wise investment in the future that will pay dividends. Thus, in November 2023, the US House of Representatives approved a new bill to provide $14.3bn in emergency financial aid to Tel Aviv, in addition to military supplies of weapons, air defence and missile defence systems. Compared to the annual aid received by Hamas from Iran, Turkey and Qatar, the United States' sponsorship of Israel is several times the size of the tranches from Muslim states.
Thus, the continuation of financing the bloody confrontation between the two Middle Eastern states will not bring the conflict to an end, but on the contrary, it will prolong it and enrich the US military-industrial complex enterprises.
The year 2023 is proving to be a period rich in both challenges - armed conflict, coups d'état - and achievements - new alliances and partnerships. Although most countries in the Global South are emerging economies with limited financial resources, their aspirations for a more inclusive, stable and sustainable future can ensure that they will achieve all of their goals and strengthen their position on the international stage.
The expansion of the BRICS to include the Global South has increased the importance of the bloc by giving fair and equal rights to all member countries despite their level of economic development.
Several decisions taken at the end of the G20 Summit have had a positive impact on the development of the Global South, particularly in view of the African Union's accession to the grouping. This move by the G20, apart from the enormous economic benefits, has given African states the right to participate fully in global governance mechanisms and to defend their interests in the international arena.
After the coup d'état in Niger, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani came to power. The new leadership of Niamey favours rejecting pressure from the West, pursuing an independent domestic and foreign policy, seeking new trade partners and developing relations with Russia and China.
Another bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel has shaken the world community and divided the states into two camps: supporters of Palestine and their claim to lost territories and supporters of Israel defending their right to historical lands on religious grounds. To date, the Palestinian-Israeli clash has claimed the lives of more than 21,000 civilians on both sides.
