BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
Notwithstanding the fact the length and breadth of Africa have been inundated with untapped natural resources, the continent has been labeled as underdeveloped and behind the times by some groups that have no inkling of the inside out of the story.
History dictates that Africa has been passing through a wide spectrum of ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows that emanate from some foreign entities’ treacheries going behind closed curtains. Regardless of the fact that Africa has gone to the ends of the earth to stand on its feet and make ends meet in the face of continuous challenges, accomplishing the desired goal is tantamount to getting blood from a stone and wiring water from a stone.
Albeit some foreign entities know the ongoing reality on the ground like the palm of their hand, they are not in the position to lend their ears and turn the spotlight on the existing predicament dragging the continent’s feet for centuries. By any means whatsoever, they are not willing to emancipate Africa from the yoke of oppression and dictations of the third party.
Sad as it may sound, brushing the unvarnished truth aside and ignoring the reality on the ground on the subject of the continent of Africa, some entities consider Africa as a perfect example of famine, drought, and conflict. This mischaracterization of the continent of Africa should be obstructed by Africans themselves before this goes any further.
In actual fact, Africans have gone through a broad range of challenges intending to unshackle themselves from aggressors. Even after independence, African nations have gone through isolating political philosophies on account of unwarranted pressure from some entities under the guise of a number of lame reasons.
If the continent of Africa fails to join hands to move the continent of Africa to the next level of accomplishment, the situation for sure will keep on jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. But if their intended destination is moving the continent to the next chapter of success and making its future rosy, Africans sooner rather than later should separate the sheep from the goats and the wheat from the chaff.
As the whole thing required to pave the way for Africa’s growth is at the doorstep of the continent of Africa, Africans do not have to bat an eye to come up with a speedy solution to utilize their resources in an appropriate manner. As most nations worldwide know the fact that Africa would be the future of the world, they have been coming up with layers of conspiracies to throw cold water on their efforts.
It becomes apparent that in the absence of the continent of Africa, the world for sure will feel like a fish out of water, and cannot move forward in development. Though the continent of Africa has been working in close collaboration with several nations worldwide, the desired goal has not been achieved yet. It is still battling with several challenges. To cut a long story short, Africa has to design its own problem-solving strategies that can get to the bottom of the existing predicaments at the earliest possible juncture just around the corner.
With many challenges, Africa was incapable of coping with the pace of other continents due to unwanted pressures that made the path hard enough in securing its benefits. On several occasions, Africa has been involved in different summits and agreements to work with powerful nations to attract economic, social, and political advantages to its side. Other than that Africa has set short and long-term goals, like Agenda 2063, to make the continent a better place for its citizens. It is important to remember that Africa has the potential to become one of the leading continents of the world by using its own human capital and natural resources without diminishing its peaceful relations with the rest of the continents.
The most important thing to acknowledge is that it is hard for the world to abandon Africa and strive for other successes. That is the main reason why different nations have been organizing different joint meetings with African nations to foster their relations with the continent and secure their place when Africa bounces up to the next level. A simple illustration might be the summits held in Russia, China, and Turkiye in recent times.
Recently, the US- Africa Leaders’ Summit was held in Washington under the notion of promoting partnership between the two parties and discussing the actions that should be taken for future cooperation. At the event, leaders from the Governments of the United States of America and Africa discussed the core agendas of expanding the already existing relations and opening up new initiatives that promote further partnership, the US government announced.
According to the United States Department of State, the key points raised at the summit were: better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the U.S.-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights; mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis, and amplify diaspora ties.
Speaking at the event, US President Joe Biden addressed, “Africa’s success is the world’s Success.” The idea has plenty to explain. Everyone is aware of the capacity that Africa has in relation to bringing change to the world. Promoting and supporting Africa is a responsibility for the entire world as the continent plays key roles in the world’s economic, social, and geopolitical activities.
In a similar vein, the government of the US has shown its readiness to work with and support the African continent on various platforms. The US government is committed itself to promoting economic engagements with African countries. It is also trying to be the best ally for Africa in the process of uplifting the continent by strengthening the ongoing bonds.
According to the White House, the Biden- Harris Administration plans to invest a minimum of 55 billion USD over the coming three years. In addition, Vice President Harris announced that their administration plans to provide over 100 million USD for YALI over the coming years. The most important issue discussed at this summit was that the US government will do everything to support the African continent to secure its place in international institutions including “supporting the African Union to join the G20 as a permanent member.” The above agreements and plans are some of the many agenda raised at the summit. Such agreements imply that the US government will definitely support Africa in building better states.
Particularly in the Ethiopian context, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D.) has participated in the summit as Ethiopia has a century-long and deep-rooted relationship with the US government. During his stay, the Premier has met with different officials including US President Joe Biden. He also has productive discussions with US Secretary Antony Blinken, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, World Bank Group President David Malpass, and other
officials. Be that as it may, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Ambassador Meles Alem said that the US- Africa Leaders’ Summit has opened doors for the Government of Ethiopia to tie up its age-long partnership with the US Government. It has also created a space to discuss possible ways to cooperate in future endeavors. The summit also helped Ethiopia to show the nation’s stance on peace and the miles that the federal government has gone to secure the peace of the country.
Such meetings have tremendous benefits for the African continent and Ethiopia in particular, to have a better stance in the eyes of those world powers. Considering the agreements signed and productive discussions between the two entities, Africa will stand in a firm position to address its own advantages in the world’s platforms. The United States of America knows the hidden potential that the continent of Africa is blessed with.
The Summit definitely has the capacity to improve the relationship and can be used as a springboard to further advance the partnership between the two parties. The economic, social, and political collaborations will create plenty of opportunities for citizens on both sides. The occasion shows that it is time for Africa to have an equal voice and be able to determine its fate together with the world. It also expresses that the world has become aware of Africa’s capacity to pass decisions. It is high time for the world to ensure the habit of working together and involve Africa in its affairs.
As Africa needs the US, it is obvious that the US also seeks the hands of Africa. These two sides have been working together for a long time, and they are still striving to walk in the right ways for mutual benefit. If the mutual interest is real and ensured by both sides, Africa must work on making itself an equal partner rather than the one who seeks some aid. In order to change the idea to reality, African nations must work for a unified goal which is promoting the African continent to success. African leaders should squeeze their difference and work for a better future for a prosperous African continent.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 20 DECEMBER 2022
