Thank you for your question.
As I said in my remarks, there is this idea of “consistent inconsistency”. We turn to Africa when we want to show that we care about poverty, for example, or when we want a seat on the UN Security Council. That sets off numerous missions by ministers, prime ministers and governors general. Then, if we don't win a seat, the missions stop, and we are seen as unreliable partners, since our commitment to Africa is not stable and long-term.
We are starting to rediscover Africa a little bit right now. There is talk of critical minerals, but it's very self-centred. If it's balanced, it will usually be met with respect, but when it's too focused on our own agenda, Africans realize that Canada is acting in a very self-serving manner. They realize that Canada is not interested in long-term partnerships, but simply the profit we can gain.