ROMA – We say “Africa” and often – indeed almost always – we allude to a continent – which already today in its 54 nations has 1 billion and 300 million people – as if it were a single entity, which stands in front of the rest of the world with a single look, a single voice. Obviously this is not the case. However, what is struggling to become common sense is the fact that the African continent is nothing more than a complex mosaic of cultures, economies and policies, very different from each other.
A new unifying element. However, what seems to have made the attitude uniform on average, at least among the African ruling classes, are the events that have occurred from 2020 to today. Events that shape new world balances on the global geopolitical map and that attribute a truly central role to Africa. In short, this is the thread of the discussion managed by Enzo Nucci – former RAI correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya (the first and only) – with his book “Africa disputes the continent’s response to the onslaught of the superpowers” (Infinito Editore), with a preface by Pietro Veronese.
The assault of foreign powers, more or less “super”. On the one hand there is Russia which, after the years of disengagement, is now returning to reoccupy positions held during the Cold War years, moreover in open challenge with China. On the other hand, there is the United States which seems a bit struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of some nations on the continent. Europe (especially France) has to deal with the rapacity exported by its predatory colonialism, which is far from over, rather re-emerging in a subcutaneous form with the financial, political and military support of oligarchies, or rather: local conventicles, of little people, in many cases, not at all good. Against the background of all this appears Turkey, awaited on the continent for years now, which has entered into competition with the Arab countries.
An updated, new role. At this point, Nucci writes in his book, faced with a tangle of interests, ranging from the exploitation of the immense riches in raw materials in the African subsoil, to the political and therefore economic control of the territory, through military bases and commercial exchanges, the countries Africans – more or less univocally – try together to seek a new, updated, unprecedented role. There has been no shortage of attempts: the birth of a new movement of non-aligned countries is an example of this, which on the one hand dissociates itself from the bloc that would like to isolate Russia, along the lines of pro-Nato Western countries but, on the other, criticizes and rebels against Moscow which says and promises cooperation and aid, but then nothing happens.
The jihadist threat. Over the whole complex of things hangs the rampant threat of the jihadist movement, which at times – we add – seems to appear and disappear somewhat on command, like an artificial incinerator of outbreaks of tension and conflict, in the end always to the exclusive advantage of the branch, transnational and uncontrollable arms market.
No more crumbs left on the table of the rich. In short, we read in the book’s presentation sheet: “Africa today is a precious ally that is tempting for too many, but facade decolonization has made leaders more aware of the potential of peoples and resources. And now no one is satisfied with the few crumbs cleverly thrown onto the table of rich countries.”
#Africa #struggle #superpowers #control #policies #riches
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**How do differing perceptions of “African agency” among external powers influence their engagement strategies on the continent, and what are the implications for realizing true African autonomy?** (This question probes the power dynamics at play and encourages analysis of the motivations and effects of various external actors.)
## World Today News Interview: Africa’s Assertive Rise
**Theme: Africa’s Shifting Geopolitical Landscape**
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Aminata Touré:** Scholar specializing in African Political Economy
* **Ambassador Jean-Pierre Dubois:** Former French diplomat with extensive experience in Africa
**Interviewer:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re delving into the dynamic geopolitical landscape of Africa, a continent increasingly asserting its agency on the world stage. With us today, we have Dr. Aminata Touré, a leading expert on African political economy, and Ambassador Jean-Pierre Dubois, who brings decades of diplomatic experience in Africa.
**Dr. Touré, your latest research highlights the growing complexity within Africa, challenging the notion of a single, monolithic entity. Could you elaborate on this multifaceted reality and how it impacts the continent’s response to external pressures?**
**Dr. Touré:** …
**(Follow-up questions exploring specific regional dynamics, economic disparities, and internal political complexities)**
**Ambassador Dubois, the article mentions the significant role played by external powers in Africa’s political and economic landscape. How do you view the re-engagement of Russia, the evolving US strategy, and the competition between Turkey and Arab countries in the context of Africa’s pursuit of autonomy***?**
**Ambassador Dubois:** …
**(Follow-up questions focusing on specific examples of foreign influence, historical context, and the impact of these relationships on African development)**
**Theme: Africa’s Quest for a New Role**
**Interviewer:** The article cites the emergence of a new movement of non-aligned countries in Africa as a sign of the continent’s desire for greater agency on the global stage. Dr. Touré, could you discuss the potential of this movement and the challenges it may face?
**Dr. Touré:** …
**(Follow-up questions exploring the specific goals of the movement, the potential for unity and division within Africa, and the response from major international powers)**
**Ambassador Dubois, you’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of African diplomacy over many years. What strategies do you think African nations should employ to effectively navigate this complex global landscape and secure their interests?**
**Ambassador Dubois:** …
**(Follow-up questions examining the role of regional organizations, international partnerships, and economic diversification in achieving African goals)**
**Theme: Challenges and Opportunities**
**Interviewer:**
The article also touches upon the persistent challenge of jihadism in Africa. How do internal security risks and the transnational nature of extremism impact Africa’s development and its ability to assert its geopolitical position?
**Ambassador Dubois:** …
**Dr. Touré:** …
**(Follow-up questions exploring potential solutions, the role of international cooperation, and the relationship between poverty, insecurity, and radicalization)**
**Interviewer:**
Looking ahead, what are the key opportunities and challenges for Africa in the coming years? How can the continent leverage its resources and human potential to achieve sustainable development and secure its rightful place on the world stage?
**Dr. Touré:** …
**Ambassador Dubois:** …
**(Concluding remarks from both guests, emphasizing key takeaways and offering final thoughts on Africa’s future)**
