The same dynamic is at work in America’s increasing intervention throughout Africa. While Washington has been bogged down in the Middle East, China has positioned itself as one of the key investors and trading partners with nations all over the continent. ..…

Despite their economic integration, the United States and China are at loggerheads over everything from the strength of the Chinese currency, the yuan, to violations of intellectual property rights, cyber security, and climate change, as well as over policies in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. ...…

From the period to the actual elections to the vote count, there was almost nothing that was credible and transparent about them, said Sasha Lezhnev, expert on Central Africa at Enough Project, Washington-based nonprofit.. ..…