Riyadh Daily, Dakar, 26 November 2017 – There is much concern among intellectual and political circles over Iran’s expansionist agenda in Africa, mainly in spreading the Shiite doctrine and undermining the principles of the dominant Sunni community. Iran’s fundamental aim is to create the right circumstances to expand its presence in the continent and influence its political and economic affairs.
Researchers are of the view that Iran is eying Africa’s rich resources, particularly crude oil, natural gas, iron and gold. The continent’s earnings from the production and service sectors is estimated to be more than US$ 14 trillion, according to studies published by several international institutions.
Iran’s self-seeking interest in Africa dates back to the 1970s when the Shiite Lebanese traders arrived in the African region, especially in Senegal and Ivory Coast. These traders were well-versed with trading operations and tourism. They also infiltrated cultural groups through charities.
According to some statistics, the number of Shiites in Africa is seven million, covering Comoros, Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mauritania.
The Iranian government is doing its utmost to spread Shiism through diplomatic and cultural channels, and is constantly attempting to entice Sunni Muslims in Africa into the Shiite world. This has been confirmed by more than one Shiite leader in Africa. In press statements, a senior Shiite leader in Ivory Coast confessed that Shiism in his country is being propagated as per a well-planned agenda that is overseen by Iran. These Iran-spun designs are aimed at making Shiism the official doctrine in his country within ten years.
According to some reports, Shiites account for one-quarter of the population in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania. In Nigeria, the Safavid Shiite penetration is the largest in Africa where the number of Shiites of Sunni origin is estimated to be five million.  Of course, this number is inconsequential in a country of more than 200 million people.
The Namaa Center for Research and Studies in Saudi Arabia is monitoring the Safavid Shiite wave in Africa. This penetration has run deep in countries such as Nigeria, which has seen clashes between the Sunnis and Shiites. This is the main goal of the subversive policies of Iran – to undermine stability of the countries where its cells are established. Shiism does not reach to such levels in other parts of the Africa, despite the spread of institutions, schools, mosques, student scholarship programs, and hectic diplomatic activity to push the doctrine.
Iran’s Shiite onslaught in Africa is aimed at achieving political, economic and sectarian gains, basically meant to antagonize Arabs. Africa, in fact, is known as a region where Arabs had close bonds and continue to do so even today. But Iran persists with its attempts to tarnish the image of Arabs in the region. It is only the vigilance of the African elite, and the poor reputation of Iran in the eyes of the international community, that is thwarting Tehran’s expansionist dreams in Africa.