Redefination of African Politics Part iv It is time to make up for a lost decade. Britain should consult with Africa, set the diplomatic ball rolling, and send an emissary to Harare to test the water. Britain should take the lead in an effort to break the deadlock and recover its influence in Africa. President Robert Mugabe has been welcomed back into the African fold by the very leaders the west had been hoping would denounce the conduct of July’s election — Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president, and Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president and head of the African Union group of election observers. There was also an implicit message for Britain and the west: “You may loathe Mugabe, but this quarrel has gone on for too long, and your policy of diplomatic rebukes and sanctions has manifestly failed. We urge you at least to make an effort to deal with him . . . or risk jeopardising the relationship between us.” This was the voice of the “new” Africa, emboldened by its economic growth, angered by what is seen as western moralising, challenging traditional ties with Europe forged during colonial rule and seeking fresh partners — and flexing a diplomatic muscle that had been atrophying for most of the continent’s post-independence era. Africa made its position so clear. The impact of that intervention turned out to be negligible, and in the years that followed a continent debilitated by debt, disease and bad management was preoccupied by its problems. This time, however, Africa is speaking from a much stronger position. In recent years it has become more confident as its economic performance improves and its bargaining chips get bigger. Africa’s leading trading partners and biggest lenders; bialetaral investment is increasing; access to the region’s oil and other minerals overrides western concerns about good governance; and the support of African states in the fight against terrorism is critical. yah neh macomrades
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 07:21:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015