The external relations and international cooperation of Africa in 2020 mainly evolve around five themes，which include solidarity against the epidemic of COVID-19，foreign debt relief，infrastructure development，economic recovery，and breaking away from the political and security dependence on outside forces for some African countries. This process actually reflects the tension between the desire of keeping independence and the reality of dependence for African countries in their international engagement. On the one hand，Africa is heavily caught in some sort of structural dependence upon the international society in terms of its sources of anti-epidemic fund，COVID-19 vaccine，development capital input，engineering technology and the fund for fight against terrorism etc. On the other hand，Africa’s consciousness of increasing strength through unity and development，and its efforts of transforming the resource advantages to development advantages，reflect the desire and bright prospects of an independent Africa. Due to the multitude of African countries and the heterogeneity of national circumstances，it’s very difficult for African countries to have unified policies and actions in their foreign engagements. However，African nations have had prevailing consensus and acts to promote peace and development through diplomacy. The development of Africa will provide numerous possibilities for it becoming more independent，self-reliant and powerful，and pave the way for shaking off the dependence position.