How Africa can respond to the seismic changes in the world: lessons from history

Fundamental changes are taking place in the world: what are the implications for Africa?

A generation ago, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), posed that question in different circumstances than it is today, but of comparable importance.

The early 1990s saw two strategic changes. The first was the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, which had implications for Africa. The second was the end of colonialism as white-minority rule in southern Africa ended.

Today, Africa faces a sudden shift in renewed tensions. It has been crystallized by several evolutions. These include the war in Ukraine, a new cold war and the rise of China as a global power. These are unfolding against the backdrop of changes in global economics and society as a result of the COVID pandemic, climate change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Salim and his team prepared a report for the 26th General Assembly of African Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa in July 1990. Summit continues after much debate announcement, It was titled: “The Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the World is Changing Fundamentally”.

Diplomatic historians view the 1990 OAU Declaration as the starting point for a decade-long series of policy and economic developments finished In the transformation of the OAU into the African Union (AU).

In 1990 the politically shrewd African leadership conquered different identities and interests and eventually agreed on a new set of principles. These led to reforms in Africa’s main intergovernmental institutions and processes.

Although imperfect, the AU criteria and institutions have been enduring and politically useful for over two decades. Peace prevails among almost all AU members. Building AU consensus for new ways to prevent and resolve conflicts within states has been more challenging. This is particularly notable in the politically sensitive area. Democratic elections.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it has lessons to teach.

The 1990 exercise boiled down to three main components that are worth remembering: governance and preventing deadly conflict, socio-economic integration and leadership, and institutional reform.

There is no doubt that the world is in the midst of another turning point in 2022 that some predicted – or were prepared for. I believe there are some lessons to be learned about the analytical framework used by Salim in 1990 and the OAU’s declaration for Africa. However today’s changes may require wider citizen participation.

Governance and preventing deadly conflict

au k constitutional act And this African Charter On democracy, elections and governance recognize that the deadliest conflicts in Africa are not between or between countries, but within. there was a case 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

In 1990, Salim articulated the strategic importance of good governance as a foundation for national and regional integration. That year’s declaration supported the goals of respect for human rights and democratization. This foreshadowed the emergence of the “principle of non-indifference” when it came to the risk of violent domestic conflict.

early warning sign to include:

• serious human rights abuses

• gross violation of electoral integrity

• unconstitutional changes of government, and

• A breakdown in the rule of law.

An urgent question today is whether the growing tensions and competition between China, Russia and the US and their non-African allies, Will hinder the democratization of Africa, And will they stop domestic abuses of power that threaten to undermine peace and prosperity as well as national and regional integration?

socio-economic integration

Africa is feeling the effects of accelerating globalization, both socially and economically.

African leaders began to express their reaction in 1991 with adoption In relation to the Abuja Treaty that established the African Economic Community. But ambitious goals that were envisioned to be realized in six phases (1994–2027) did not meet,

In the midst of the current increasing competition for markets and influence in Africa among major powers, there is a need to re-evaluate Africa’s collective agency. This is true for each of the eight AU affiliates. Regional economic community as well. Can Africans develop practical ways to entice all major powers to lend support? African continental free trade area,

Africa’s socio-economic resilience and recovery were recently tested during the COVID pandemic. rich western democracy folded inward and practiced commentary nationalism. This hardship exacerbated inequalities and disproportionately hurt the poorest Africans.

The war in Ukraine over the past two months is already badly affecting the continent. A serious impact The impact on food prices and food and nutrition security in Africa is already being felt. implications for The global food supply chain and food trade in Africa are also grim.

Among other dangerous effects of the war in Ukraine for Africa is the lack of development aid and other necessary support to mitigate the effects of global climate change.

Africa is the region Most vulnerable to climate change, for which it is least responsible. And it is most in need of financial support to tackle climate change.

Leadership and Institutional Reform

The 1990 Strategic Review that Salim conducted called for a major reform of the OAU. It is too early to judge the need, capacity and resolve of AU members to undertake major reforms of their continental and regional organisations. The last major institutional reform took more than a decade to take effect, and the results have been inevitably mixed.

But it will require leadership to generate sustained and politically dominant debate about the need for institutional reforms. The transition to the AU also required the leadership of African politicians, most notably by South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Africa’s regional international relations today seem to lack the central leadership that was possible during Selim’s era. And African democracies, like elsewhere, are preoccupied with voter interests. These rarely focus on foreign affairs. Autocratic rulers may have more freedom to lead the region. But they are handicapped due to lack of democratic legitimacy.

a different perspective

Today’s challenges may require a more grassroots approach, with major input from non-governmental leaders. this year announcement Against unconstitutional changes of government, for example, a wide range of players were involved. Hosted by Ghana for the AU and affiliated inter-governmental organizations, it included representatives from a wide spectrum of societies. These included African civil society organisations, academia, professional bodies, youth and women’s groups.

Having these representatives in the room can provide practical recommendations to help Africa adapt to fundamental changes in the world, in line with African norms and interests.