Africa’s foreign policy must focus on continental needs
Rather than seeking common African positions, prioritising Africa’s development and peace can provide a foundation for meaningful global influence.
The international order is being challenged by tensions between the global north or West and the emerging global south powers, particularly the BRICS+ group. In a divided world, major and middle powers from both sides are courting Africa, as seen in the many summit meetings and billion-dollar investment pledges.
But do these partnerships strengthen Africa’s position on the world stage as the African Union (AU) claims?
Over 12 different Africa summits are now held with external partners – most recently with China and Indonesia. The September China-Africa summit saw a pledge US$50 billion to Africa over the next three years.
It follows the United States’ (US) pledge of US$55 billion over three years to shared priorities and the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063. Japan has committed US$30 billion, and Russia has proposed several collaborative and consultative arrangements.
Perhaps most important is Africa’s relationship with the European Union (EU). The last EU-African Union Summit in Brussels in 2022 agreed on a joint vision for a renewed partnership and investments of €150 billion.
The AU says such partnerships aim to enhance Africa’s international standing and global leverage. By prioritising these relationships, particularly with emerging powers such as Indonesia, Africa seeks to maximise its impact in international affairs.
According to the AU, the proliferation of partnerships is evidence of Africa’s growing prominence in the global arena and its strategic approach to achieving continental objectives through multilateral cooperation.
In theory, having more partners gives Africa additional options to negotiate and choose from, thereby increasing its bargaining power, decision-making autonomy and flexibility in international relations.
But there is little evidence that these efforts have lessened external interference in Africa. For example, the wave of coups in the Sahel region has led to an alliance between ‘coup governments.’
The alliance is backed by security guarantees from Russia to establish the Confederation of Sahel States, which threatens both the AU and the Economic Community of West African States.
Some argue that Africa has a unique opportunity to help shape a future world order, owing to its demography, critical minerals and importance in diplomatic and geopolitical alliances.
It could advocate for more equitable representation within its various partnerships and in key international institutions such as the United Nations (UN) Security Council. The multiplicity of engagements thus enhances Africa’s agency in global affairs.
In pursuit of a global system fit for the future, the AU could deploy its common African positions – for example, the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
These outline Africa’s stance on UN reform, including of the UN Security Council – demanding permanent representation with veto rights, increased non-permanent seats, and AU-led selection of African representatives.
Such documents illustrate Africa’s commitment to multilateralism while aiming to address historical injustices and ensure inclusive representation and meaningful participation in global governance structures.
However, given Africa’s diversity and complexity, common African positions are few and far between. Crafting them is often costly and laborious, and once set, they bring a rigidity to reform.
They may also divert attention from Africa’s internal pressing peace and development priorities.
Rather than striving for continent-wide positions and action, an introspective strategy prioritising Africa’s development and peace would more effectively enhance the continent’s geopolitical agency.
This should be complemented by a more strategic engagement with key partners.
The continent must focus on strengthening its own institutions, resolving internal conflicts and building economic resilience before committing significant resources to broader international issues where its interests are not at stake.
By addressing internal challenges first, Africa can develop a stronger foundation from which to exercise meaningful influence in global affairs and protect its strategic interests.
A more pragmatic and dynamic approach is needed, where the multitude of external engagements complements the pursuit of domestic African peace and development.
Africa should commit to foreign policy support only on matters where its interests are directly at stake. It should pursue common positions on issues that hinder the continent’s ability to achieve peace and development – like meddling by Gulf states.
The Pan-African agenda should prioritise preventing new conflicts and responding timeously to ongoing wars in Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and others.
Reform of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and putting the World Trade Organization into operation, directly impact Africa’s development priorities, and need continental action.
Pursuing global tax reform, reducing sovereign borrowing costs, addressing debt relief, pursuing simplified access to private capital and climate financing, and establishing common standards for infrastructure development are also crucial. These targets are realistic and can better meet people’s needs.
As part of a strategic foreign policy aimed at the future, African states should agree on a standardised set of transparency and project execution guidelines that are uniformly applicable to foreign investors and countries operating in Africa.
These criteria must encompass public consultations and sustainability benchmarks. The requirements should be clear, simple and publicly available – as all subsequent agreements should be.
The AU should lead the development of a binding legal protocol that spells out these requirements, followed by domestic enactment and implementation. Strict regulatory and enforcement mechanisms should accompany such a protocol, which should govern all foreign investment and sovereign loan agreements in Africa.
Initiatives such as reforming African and international peace and security architectures and implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area and Agenda 2063 should be prioritised.
With these clear priorities, Africa can forge specific beneficial partnerships while removing requirements that constrain African agency, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and stable international order.
Post Views: 2,008
Luis Diaz was fouled in Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool were 1-0 winners over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman feels his old club got a little lucky. The Merseyside club arrived into the clash in Spain having won all five of their Champions League matches and Arne Slot’s men kept up their 100 per cent record with the victory.Girona caused Liverpool a lot of problems in the first half and the Reds boss can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out. The Merseyside outfit were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.Donny van de Beek would commit a clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz – who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the winger’s heel.The referee viewed the coming together as a foul after being sent to the VAR monitor, resulting in Mohamed Salah converting the spot-kick.The incident sparked a lot of debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his old club were lucky to get the decision.
More Stories / Latest News
Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Liverpool star Luis Diaz earned Liverpool a penalty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that often happen during corners and free-kicks.“You expect the midfielders to go to close down and if you stand on an inch of his heel, it is very unfortunate,” the pundit said on TNT Sports. “With all respect, it is a contact game. We see a lot more contact at corners and free-kicks that go unmentioned so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“He’s given the referee an opportunity to make a decision or VAR to get involved” ?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty ?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024Liverpool will feel fortunate that they were awarded the penalty but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after making the clumsy foul in their own box.Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain but as seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come away from the match with all three points. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/10/liverpool-champions-league-tnt/
When it comes to home theater sound, one of the best brands to go with is Samsung. Over the last several years, Samsung surround sound systems and soundbars have done a phenomenal job at enhancing movie nights, which is why we’re always on the lookout for Samsung soundbar deals. As luck would have it, we came across a great one earlier today:
Right now, when you purchase the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this model sells for $380.
Why you should buy the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar
The HW-Q6CC is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which means it can virtualize a full Atmos speaker configuration. Expect immersive audio, regardless of where you choose to sit or stand, plus a nice balance of highs, mids, and lows. And if you ever decide to relocate the soundbar to another room, Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite tech will automatically recalibrate the HW-Q6CC to the new space you place it in. Connectivity couldn’t be more effortless either: Thanks to HDMI eARC, you only have to worry about one wire going to your TV.
Far more than a home theater system, you’ll also be able to use the HW-Q6CC to stream music from a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Pair two devices simultaneously and enjoy fast playback with Samsung’s Tap Sound feature, which lets you start playing a song from your phone through the Samsung soundbar just by tapping one device to the other.
While it’s hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, Samsung deals like this one have gone pretty quickly in the past. That being said, today might be the best day to save. Take $180 off the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar when you purchase at Walmart, and be sure to check out our list of the best Walmart deals for even more holiday discounts!
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/samsung-hw-q6cc-soundbar-deal-walmart-december-2024/
The case in which two city lawyers are accused of forgery has taken a new twist after a prominent law firm has been implicated for alleged convenience in misleading court.
In the letter dated December 3, 2024 to the Inspector of Courts, pastor Daniel Walugembe has accused the lawyers, Robert Ssenfuka and Umar Nyanzi of SK and Partners Advocates of colluding with their colleagues at H&G Advocates to commit the alleged crimes.
Through his lawyers, Walugembe states that there is coordinated convenience between H&G Advocates and SK and Partners Advocates whose sole intention is to mislead and bias court against him which is very unfortunate and regrettable.
“Your worship, it is evident that in the letter written by H&G Advocates dated 23rd December 2021, requested for certified copies of proceedings, plaint, affidavit of service, and written statement of defense, consent judgment and decree in Civil Suit No. 699of 2017. Indeed in the letter dated 9th December 2022,” reads the petition adding that Natukunda Jeneva the Deputy Registrar certified the same documents.
According to the petition seeking for the intervention of the judiciary authorities into the matter, Walugembe insists that nowhere the registrar “gave any agreement to H&G advocates which they purportedly passed on to SK and Partners who are their conduits.”
Petition indicates that H&G Advocates is the law firm that represents Makerere University in the case litigated with Walugembe before the Land Division of the High Court; “But at no single point has H&G ever brought this purported sale agreement to disapprove or show inconsistent in his claim.”
The petition copied to the Chief Justice and other lawyers, the lawyers; Ssenfuka and Nyanzi are accused of concocting information and documents with a view of misleading court.
Through his lawyers of Alma Associated Advocates, Walugembe accused the lawyers of misleading court in the sworn statements to the principal judge that their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule has never been party to earlier cases before the High Court.
“On that basis alone, it is our considered view that a person who can advise his client to lie on oath cannot be trusted at all. To demonstrate to you the perpetual lies of the accused persons in the affidavit they drafted for their client, drawn by SK and Partners Advocates, they advised their client to lie that he has never been party to application number 434 of 2019,” reads the complaint.
The petition copied to the chief justice, judicial authorities and lawyers was in response to complaints challenging the private prosecution of the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi.
Ssenfuka and Nyanzi both attached to SK & Partners Advocates are accused of fraud in regard to alleged forgery of agreements for Kibanja in Katanga near Wandegeya.
Last week, the Magistrates Court at Buganda Road, Jalia Basajjabalaba issued criminal summons against Ssenfuka and Nyanzi to answer accusations of forgery and uttering false
The duo is expected to appear in court on December 17, 2024 for plea taking and also for hearing formal application in which they are challenging the legality of the charges.
See also President Museveni’s Wealth Creation Message Transforms Lives in Gomba
It is alleged that the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi attached to SK & Partners Advocates while acting for and on behalf of their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule committed criminal acts.
Court documents indicate that the accused lawyers are alleged to have committed forgery, uttering false documents and conspired to commit a felony when knowingly and unlawfully altered sales agreements dated February 9, 1996 and August 13, 1996 respectively.
H&G Advocates Accused of Forgery as Court Documents in Walugembe Case Face Scrutiny