Africa with more than 1.4 billion people has been continuously represented in unison though there are still 55 different member states. Small nations across the globe with bigger economic power have kept inviting the whole continent as one small unit in their small towns.
The various summits organized by some nations to invite the African continent as a whole have become a trend in the modern world. Africa which is considered as powerless and economically poor continent still attracts a number of actors who wish to work and build partnership with. Many actors around the world organize big summits for various reasons. Over the years, economically affluent nations in the west and east unveiled grand summits to connect with the growing continent. From China Africa to US Africa, summits have been kicked off reportedly to bolster ties with the biggest continent. Such a move might have various pros and cons for both the organizing nations and the African continent at large.
There are some summits that are organized every year for a number of reasons. Those organizing nations are proudly sending invitations for leaders of African nations to take part in forums and conferences.
Putting the whole in one pocket
As witnessed in various summits, nations such as the United States of America, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Korea Italy, Russia, and many more have been inviting the whole continent and doing their best to strengthen their partnership. Despite the good intentions lying behind the forums and summits, it sometimes sounds perplexing to treat 55 states as a single unit. It is the fact that Africa is very much diverse in terms of culture, political and economic stands, preferences, and many other aspects. To this point, putting all those differences in one big pocket has nothing but a waste of time and resource especially for those 55 nations.
Again, those African states have various economic, political, and diplomatic partnerships with the organizers. Putting nations with various unknown interest in one big table and talk about partnership will never bear fruit.
SOMETHING BEHIND THE PROMISES
Similarly, during those Africa- focused Africa has got various promises that come with prices. All the organizing nations have frequently disclosed that they eager to work closely with the continent by allocating billions of dollars for the betterment of the continent amidst challenges. However, they have never told us what is next for the continent and what does it pay in return? The only thing that Africa can provide might be its both human and natural resources in exchange of the paper money.
For instance, the Italy- Africa Summit was held in Rome in January 2024, and more than 20 African leaders and representatives of various unions including the European Union have attended the summit. During the event, Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, introduced an investment worth around sic billion USD focusing on energy cooperation as a key area of economic development. the premier also stated that she wants to reset Europe’s partnership with Africa and positioned her nations as a distribution hub for African energy amidst other interests form other countries in working with the continent on energy.
According to reports, between 2015 and 2022, New Delhi received over 100 African leaders, while each African country received an Indian cabinet minister. In June 2023, African and Indian government, private sector, and industry leaders converged in New Delhi for the 18th India- Africa Conclave hosted by the India Export Import (EXIM) Bank in partnership with India’s foreign and trade ministries.
India-Africa trade has grown 18 percent annually since 2003, reaching $103 billion in 2023. This makes India Africa’s third largest trading partner after the European Union and China. India’s total investments in Africa amount to $70 billion, a figure the powerful Confederation of Indian Industry aims to increase to $150 billion by 2030.
WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND
In fact, many African nations are struggling with financial constraints though they have plenty to offer to the world in terms of resources. Those lavish summits are designed to lure Africans, especially African leaders to trade the nations’ resources with money and other funds. In addition, some leaders use such platforms to create a better recognition for their countries. Truth to be told that solidarity is power, but in the case of summits, such truth become false as African nations will lose their power to deal privately with the other counterpart. To this end, Africans will not have opportunity to negotiate.
AFRICA MUST KNOW ITS VALUE
Due to various past and present reasons including colonialism, slavery, and many other, the African continent has failed to reach to zenith where its sister continent reach. Yet, its natural resources and human capital blessings made the continent still crucial for the well- being of the whole world. that is the reason why many countries are still eager and very much obsessed with working with the continent. It not because Africa is the best ally to rely on in terms of political and diplomatic endeavors; rather it is all about its resources, and African leaders must know what their nations have.
WHAT AFRICANS SHOULD DO
Based on the current stand that Africa has, it is very hard to get the required treatment from other continents. However, there is still a chance which is to struggle for equal partnership. Africans should role their sleeves and stand in unity to end such unfair treatment. We must stop patronization and install partnership. Africans must believe that we still have plenty to provide more precious that the paper money. The world might think Africa is poor and must be supported, but the truth is the continent is the one who feeds the entire world. We must push forward to be treated as those nations treat other blocs. We have never heard that a nation invites the whole European nations like they did to Africans. This is the time to say no for unfair partnership; Africans’ voice must be heard when it calls for equal partnership. The African Union must also play its part in advocating the equality and fairness.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2024
