South to South Conversations: Political Leadership in Africa, or lack thereof
Vol. 1
As I sit in India, after having participated in the Raisina Dialogue 2023, the preeminent Global South forum for the discussion of geopolitics and geoeconomics, I find myself invigorated by the welcome departure from the Western-centric norm that typically dominates global discourse. My thoughts turn to the role of Africa and the wider Global South in international affairs, as well as to the state of my home country, Nigeria, the continent's most populous democracy and largest economy.
Upon reflection, I am struck by the fragility of our institutions and the pressing need for a visionary approach to leadership in the Global South. Recent elections in Nigeria have laid bare the shortcomings of our political class and the dire consequences for the lives of ordinary citizens.
During my visit to India, I had the opportunity to tour the esteemed Serum Institute of India, the world's foremost vaccine manufacturer. This visit left me pondering how Africa could replicate such success. It is high time for us to reconsider our political landscape, prioritize the formulation of sound policies, bolster our middle class, and champion the hopes and aspirations of our people. We must establish new social contracts with our citizens, particularly with the youth, women, and other vulnerable groups across the continent. We must also acknowledge that, although significant progress has been made since our independence from colonial rule, too many of our countries still suffer from broken systems, as evident in the events that continue to unfold.
In my time at Serum Institute, I was struck by the scale of their operations, their unparalleled efficiency, automation, technology, and infrastructure, and the realization of how much work Africa must undertake to produce its own vaccines. Witnessing their achievements emphasizes the need for Africa to be bolder and more single-minded in its focus on development. Our leaders must move beyond rhetoric to real leadership that yields tangible results, that fosters collaboration, seeks partnerships with those who have already achieved what we hope to achieve, strengthens south-south collaboration, and commits to changing Africa's status in the world.
Recently, in my discussions with scholars at Cambridge, I emphasized the importance of reflexivity in our globalized world. It is imperative that we critically examine our assumptions, values, and positions in relation to the wider world, especially for professionals in politics, education, research, writing, community development, and health. Without appreciating our responses to one another, we risk the extinction of humanity.
Reflexivity is an indispensable tool for African nations to recognize their crucial position of power in the world. It is critical to foster a sense of self-awareness that acknowledges the tremendous potential for effecting positive global change. It is essential to recognize that the world is no longer a collection of distinct national entities but a complex, interdependent system where no nation can afford to remain an island unto itself. Good leadership and governance require reflexivity at every level.
The role of African agency in alleviating poverty is crucial. While it is easy to blame the West for our declining fortunes and fragile conditions, we must also examine our own agency in creating positive change. The political leadership in Africa is in crisis, and we must change the type of politics we practice. We need introspection that leads to a shift in the status quo and a new kind of politics that produces leaders and policies focused on citizens, on the fate of our nations, on not just survival but also thriving. Unfortunately, the politics we have practiced has led to increasingly fragile states. Democracy is being challenged in many parts of the continent, with multiple coups and social unrest in a few African countries in recent years. Politicians rig elections and impose unpopular leaders against the will of the people. African leaders are unable to speak with one voice, unable to invest in the critical infrastructure necessary to help their citizens live dignified, fruitful lives, to self-actualize, to effectively fight disease outbreaks and climate change, and to achieve food security, to mention but a few.
At a time when African leadership is struggling to assert itself on the global stage, the urgency for African agency has never been greater. It falls upon African leaders to not only employ strategic thinking, but also a moral stance that challenges the established status quo, to scrutinize the fundamental assumptions and values that underpin global politics and economics, and to forge collaborative efforts aimed at creating a more equitable and just world. This demands not just political will and vision, but also sustained investment in vital areas such as education and infrastructure, which are critical to developing robust and thriving societies.
When I attend global meetings and observe the absence of other invited African representatives, or the presence of only a few, I cannot help but wonder how we intend to make our voices heard on the world stage. What propels our engagement with the world?
Nigeria, often referred to as the giant of Africa, is a particular concern to me. As my home country, the fragility of its institutions deeply saddens me. We seem incapable of conducting elections without resorting to extreme violence, irregularities, and sometimes even outright fraud. Reflexivity is useful for everyone, but how can it assist the political class, especially young people aspiring to elective and leadership positions? Nigeria's survival is crucial to Africa's survival, and we cannot afford to court instability by manipulating democracy. Undermining the rule of law and the electoral process may yield results for politicians in the short term, but it destroys the country in the medium to long term.
Once again, we must ask ourselves, what motivates us? Personal enrichment? Power for the sake of power? Power for parochial and primordial reasons? Our focus must be on creating the foundations for stable, thriving states that do not leave vulnerable groups behind. We must accept accountability for our own agency and work towards a better future for Africa. One thing is certain: despite the scarcity of leadership, rooted, inter alia, in complex historical factors such as colonialism and the resource curse, Africa has the capability, human capital, and expertise to shape its own destiny.
In his book, "Against Decolonization: Taking African Agency Seriously," Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò asserts that African agency is an essential element for advancing progress on the continent. He advocates for a reevaluation of decolonization as an ongoing process that emphasizes empowering African people and promoting their agency. Táíwò posits that decolonization should be viewed as a continuous project of liberation that involves recognizing and celebrating the unique cultural and historical identities of African people.
Táíwò critiques the prevalent discourse surrounding decolonization, which often portrays Africa as a passive recipient of external forces. He argues that this perspective overlooks the agency of African people in shaping their own futures and perpetuates a narrative of victimhood that can be disempowering.
The question of how to achieve progress in Africa is multifaceted and complex, requiring a nuanced and context-specific approach. Nevertheless, by acknowledging the significance of African agency and empowering local communities to take ownership of their own development, we can work towards a more equitable future for the continent.
However, this objective is obstructed when leaders fail to provide for the fundamental needs of their countries, perpetuating poverty and instability. When politicians lead their countries into becoming fragile states and begging nations while living lavish lifestyles abroad, the idea of African progress becomes unattainable. The road to progress also necessitates greater collaboration between African countries, with stronger and more respected regional and continental organizations to foster greater cooperation and integration.
As we strive for progress, we must also reflect on the visa policies that hinder intra-African travel, which can be more restrictive than travel to some Western countries. We must examine ourselves and ask tough questions about what we want and how we want to be perceived on the global stage.
Most importantly, we must recognize Africa's power and potential to drive change on a global scale. As African professionals in international spaces, we must demand respect and equality while also holding our leaders accountable for their actions. The current exodus of young professionals from countries like Nigeria highlights the urgent need for strong leadership to prevent the decimation of the middle class.
It bears repeating that the delicate strings that currently hold Nigeria together are not inviolable. They can break, and all of this is happening at a time when Africa needs leadership and a strong voice on the global stage. We must position ourselves as equal partners seeking to build a better world for all, speaking from a place of strength and capacity.
Ultimately, the change that Africa needs is one that is rooted in a profound recognition of its power and potential. African nations must take their place at the global table, not as supplicants, but as equal partners seeking to build a better world for all and realize their true potential.
Indeed, a radical change in our politics is necessary if we are to achieve the kind of African agency that is required for our nations to thrive. This means, among other things, rethinking the very basis of our politics, and what drives us as a people. We must develop policies that enable our citizens to live and thrive within our own nations, rather than seeking refuge in foreign lands. This requires building credible and competent institutions that can provide for the basic needs of our citizens, and foster an environment of innovation and growth.
Recently, in a summit I organised in Abuja, interrogating the worrying state of women and girls in Nigeria, we took the extra step of not just inviting big names in global health, education, trade and politics but the women and girls who were in the eye of the storm that has seen them become victims of terror groups, poor education, gender based violence, and discriminatory and violent cultural practices. Their voices were as important as the voices of those who might be considered experts in girl child education, humanitarian aid or public health. It is clear to me that this has to be a feature of all forms of public and political engagement: there should be nothing for us without us. Leaders have to think like this. Citizens do not exist to pay for the lifestyles of politicians and leaders. Leaders must act like servants of the people, they must treat citizens not merely like an inconvenience to be tolerated but like those from whom they receive their mandate and legitimacy. This sort of inclusion must form the basis of any new social contract or way of practicing politics.
Wouldn’t it be great to conduct elections without the need for foreign observers, often from the West? After all, who sends observers to elections in Germany, France or Sweden? This requires a renewed commitment to the rule of law, and ensuring that our electoral processes are transparent, free, and fair. We must also work towards strengthening our democratic institutions, such as our judiciary, and ensuring that they remain independent and impartial.
Moreover, we must dream of a continent where our leaders do not sell their citizens out for personal gain, and instead demand equity on the global stage. This requires a fundamental shift in our politics, and a renewed focus on the welfare and well-being of our citizens. We must invest in critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and technology, and ensure that our citizens have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Above all, we must avoid the racism of reduced expectations when dealing with African leaders and institutions. African citizens deserve the same basic human rights and dignity that parts of the West take for granted, such as secure towns and cities, healthcare, qualitative education, functioning infrastructure, and the rule of law.
Enlightened self interest is critical for both citizens and leaders and African citizens must keep calling for better leadership and better politics. As partners in building a better world, the friends of Africa must contribute to supporting citizen movements, civil society and activists on the ground whose knowledge and expertise must form the basis of any shift in the status quo. As I like to say, patchwork will not work. We must elevate our expectations and be bold enough to seek wholistic systems changes instead of simply accepting meagre applause for basic things like being able to hand over power. Africans deserve dignity, human rights, and prosperity too.
In conclusion, the need for reflexivity, credible and competent institutions, and a shift in politics in Africa cannot be emphasized enough. Only through the adoption of these principles can African nations rise to their full potential, assert themselves on the global stage, and demand the equity and respect that they rightfully deserve.