The debate surrounding which foreign nation—be it the US, China or Russia—has the ‘upper hand’ in Africa has led to a competitive narrative that often overshadows the more significant question: what do African nations themselves want?
When we discuss African politics from a global perspective, the discussion often gets framed through the lens of external powers vying for influence. This approach, however prominent, fails to grasp the complexities and nuances of Africa’s own political dynamics.
Africans are increasingly vocal about the need for democracy, and grassroots movements across Africa evidence this sentiment. While these movements stem from deep-rooted aspirations for representation, they’re also shaped by historical intricacies, a legacy of post-colonial governance structures, and the balance of power within African societies.
The recent events in Niger are a case in point. While externally, it might appear as another power play, diving deeper, it highlights the challenges of regional cooperation and multilateralism in state-building. The role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demonstrates a shift towards regional solutions, emphasizing that African politics aren’t merely a playground for external powers but a complex web of internal dynamics and regional collaborations...
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