“It Was A Year That Inspires Hopes For Africa”

In a few hours the year 2022 will come to an end. What assessment can you make of events in Africa?
The year 2022 was positive in that many African countries politically, economically, socially and diplomatically registered some successes. They made enormous efforts to improve the image of the continent, remodel their relations with other countries and stayed resilient to the economic hardship and health care challenges.  Even the just ended world cup was a positive event for African countries as most of them registered positive results though only Morocco went far into the competition by setting a new record of being the first African country to reach the semi-finals. The USA-African Summit in Washington, African countries gave a good account of themselves by speaking out their minds. In terms of conflict management African countries have improved in the prevention and resolution of conflict. The few conflicts we had in 2022 like, Somalia, Dr Congo and Ethiopia were and are being handled by Africans. We did not have major floods or catastrophes that took away many lives. It was a year that inspires hopes and serves as a good foundation for economic development for the youths.

Can we say without any fear of contradiction that during the year 2022, there was a significant progress by African countries in the consolidation of peace and democracy?
 There has been a significant progress in Africa with regards to peace consolidation especially in the case of Ethiopia where former Nigerian President Obasanjo under the auspices of the African Union, has been doing everything to bring the government and Tigray rebels to the dialogue table. After several failed cease-fires, negotiations have continued, both sides have designated their representatives who have met in South Africa and continue to meet with very positive results registered so far. A cease-fire has been reached, disarmament of the rebels is in progress, the supply of food aid in rebel areas has resumed, a few days ago, we learned of the resumption of activities by Ethiopia’s biggest Commercial Bank in Tigray Region. We also have the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict with Rwanda that is being handled at the highest level by Angolan President Jao Lourenço, who has invited them several times to Rwanda to seek ways of bringing peace in the area. A multinational force is being put in place. Democratic elections have taken place in peace and tranquility in many countries in Africa like, in Kenya and we expect more in February 2023 with general elections in Nigeria. These are all signs that the African continent is waxing strong in many domains.

What about the resurgence of coup d’états?
Yes, it is unfortunate for African democracy that there has been a resurgence of coup d’états in some countries. In 2022 there were about three coups in Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Mali…. These are really not the norms or good signs for African democracy. There are exceptions that do not give a good image of the African continent because coup d’états from a political science stand point are not the model of problem solving of any conflict in any society. We hope that countries where coup d’état’s have taken place in the continent will go back to constitutional order as quick as possible, because Africa should be governed by constitutional order not by constitutional force. Let liberty and freedom push and guide Africa to a better governance. Governance through freedom is much better than governance through force and coup d’états are governance through force. The whole world that is African Union, United Nations denounces coup d’états. There are exceptions that Africa needs to correct in the next few months so that freedom will continue to reign and governance through freedom will be the model as far as Africa is concern.

What are some of the areas you think African leaders and other stakeholders must redouble efforts?
 African leaders have a lot on their table as they move from the year 2022 to 2023. The first would be the industrialization of Africa in order to create more jobs that would employ more African youths thus reducing unemployment and illegal immigration that we have been witnessing in the past years with a lot of untold negative consequences. Infrastructural development which is the backbone of every economy needs to be strong in order to withstand fluctuation. Democratic institutionalization in Africa needs to be strong and credible in order to foster development. When elections are free and transparent, there is peace, unity and...