BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The continent of Africa is known for its diverse and interesting history. Despite the difficulties encountered along the way, Africans have remained steadfast in their pursuit of progress, exhibiting determination, resilience, and unwavering perseverance to overcome obstacles.
Throughout history, Africa has experienced a variety of obstacles and setbacks, including political turmoil, economic instability, social inequality, and natural disasters. Despite these difficulties, the people of Africa have shown remarkable strength and perseverance, enabling the continent to make progress in the face of adversity.
After gaining independence, African countries had to deal with varying political ideologies, which were influenced by external actors who provided aid and support in return for specific political commitments. Consequently, this led to the fragmentation of political beliefs, and made the political environment in Africa more complex.
The separation of political beliefs that arose following the liberation of Africans had significant implications on the advancement of the continent. It resulted in a fracture in political ideologies, causing factions within nations and posing difficulties for African countries to collaborate towards a shared objective. Additionally, this schism compromised the cohesion of the continent, exacerbating challenges in progress and growth.
Although Africa has faced many difficult hurdles, it remains dedicated to making progress and pushing forward. African countries have been striving relentlessly to address political divisions and promote harmony among themselves. This has entailed prioritizing political discussions, enhancing collaborative partnerships amongst nations, and establishing collective principles and aims to advance the continent towards its objectives.
Undoubtedly, Africa needs a strong and determined partnership with the support of countries worldwide to accomplish its objectives. Despite having relationships with various nations globally, these alliances have not been fair and just. Essentially, what Africa requires is a genuine equal collaboration where each nation contributes equally towards the attainment of economic progress and advancement.
Regrettably, although many organizations acknowledge the significant possibilities that Africa can offer to the globe, they are hesitant to acknowledge and appreciate Africa’s potential. Some foreign ties continue to have power over the continent, exploiting its underdeveloped resources without considering sustainable development.
Despite having abundant natural and artificial resources, Africa has been hit by various crises such as famine, war, drought and conflict brought about by internal and external factors. These issues further aggravate the already existing challenges faced by the continent, making it increasingly difficult to achieve progress and prosperity.
Emphasizing that the fate of Africa relies on its inhabitants, it is crucial to unite and cooperate in order to build a promising future for themselves and their community. With some of the world’s youngest and rapidly growing populations, Africa has the capacity to become a significant global economic player if managed correctly. That being said, forming genuine partnerships built on respect and trust is vital in unleashing Africa’s vast potential.
Africa is rich in natural resources; however, poverty and underdevelopment are still prevalent. Immediate action is necessary to prevent the situation from worsening. A variety of factors, including economic and political issues, have hindered Africa’s growth and development. It’s important to note that these challenges stem from long-standing conspiracies by different groups who have failed to acknowledge Africa as an equal member of the global community. The dominance of Eurocentric thinking in the worldwide perspective has weakened the values of Africa and the ideals of Pan Africanism.
Efforts to introduce western political beliefs and values in Africa have not been successful in driving the continent towards a prosperous future, so it is imperative for African nations to implement their own approaches to tackle their issues, known as “African solutions to African problems.” This involves disregarding the opinions of impartial onlookers and giving priority to African perspectives in addressing the challenges faced by the continent.
It is high time for Africa to adopt a self-directed approach to attain favorable results. This involves boosting African viewpoints and opinions in talks concerning continental issues. African nations should reject external parties that only prolong Africa’s reliance on them and go for solutions that are based on African values and situations.
The future of Africa should be in the hands of Africans themselves, working towards the well-being of their people. To solve African issues, they must rely on their own methods and remain dedicated to creating a self-sufficient continent that doesn’t require external assistance to tackle any problems it may face. By doing so, Africa will be able to make the most of its resources and achieve a prosperous future for all its inhabitants.
Africans must take an active role in addressing issues that affect the continent and not just stand by. It’s not fair for external forces to exploit African resources for their own benefit without any restrictions. We are well aware that some countries have made progress in technology and human development because they have access to the abundant resources found in Africa. Without these resources, some nations would have difficulties to sustain themselves.
It is crucial that Africans do not simply stand by and allow their resources to be taken advantage of, putting their future in jeopardy. To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, it is necessary to take action. It is unsustainable to maintain the current state of affairs, and it is beneficial for everyone in Africa to become more involved in determining their own future.
Certain factions understand that a cohesive and thriving Africa would prevent them from taking advantage of the continent’s resources. This possibility poses a critical danger to their existence, prompting them to incite various conflicts throughout Africa in subtle ways. It is crucial for Africans to be mindful of these endeavors and take action to oppose them.
The prosperity and unity of Africa is not only advantageous for the continent but also for the entire world. If Africa utilizes its resources and realizes its potential, it can make a positive contribution to global progress and development. Instead of being viewed as a threat, the success of Africa should be seen as an opportunity for collaboration and engagement with outside entities.
Africans must be in control of their future and strive towards holistic development that benefits everyone. To do this, African values and perspectives must be given priority in decision-making and exploitation of resources by external entities must be resisted. The time has come for Africans to take charge of their story and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
It is crucial for Africa to utilize its natural resources to attain sustainable progress. Successful utilization could create a difficult situation for countries that depend on Africa’s resources as their survival would be jeopardized and they would be uncertain about their next steps. Africans need to be cautious and discerning when engaging with external entities seeking access to their resources. They should strive to distinguish between legitimate partnerships and attempts to take advantage of Africa’s resources. Various tactics are used by these entities, and it is crucial for Africans to remain alert and strategic in their development efforts.
Some of these external actors are solely driven by their own interests and will go to any lengths to exploit Africa’s natural resources. Therefore, it is essential for Africans to look within themselves and come up with solutions that prioritize the continent’s interests above all else. For centuries, Africa has faced exploitation and oppression from external sources. However, it is important for Africans to take control of their future and not be dependent on these external forces. They should work with like-minded external partners and focus on progress within the continent.
By using their resources wisely and equitably, they can achieve inclusive and sustainable development that benefits everyone. This requires focusing on their own interests rather than being used by other countries for illicit activities behind closed doors. Africans need to unite and collaborate to prioritize the growth of the continent, setting aside their differences and utilizing the resources available to take Africa to new horizons. The continent and its people should not be pawns in the plots of other nations that have held back Africa for generations.
To resolve conflicts in Africa, it is crucial to unite different groups and eliminate the causes of these conflicts. By doing so, Africans can establish a more stable and prosperous society. It is important to acknowledge that the African continent has endured a tumultuous past characterized by coercion, colonialism, neo-colonialism, and poor governance.
These factors have left lasting scars, leading to the persistence of conflicts and other difficulties in Africa. Despite these challenges, Africans must maintain their determination and resilience to overcome these impediments and strive for a better future.
It is important for the leaders of Africa to lead the way in developing their nations, and citizens should ensure they are held responsible. This means transparency in leadership and active involvement in decision-making. The ultimate goal is to construct a sustainable future that benefits all Africans. Through collaboration with external partners and effectively using resources, Africa can showcase progress and prosperity for the rest of the world. It is time to take brave strides towards a better tomorrow for Africa and its inhabitants.
To achieve sustainable development, Africa must become independent from external nations by implementing innovative thinking and bold measures that prioritize the continent’s interests. Continual dependence on foreign aid will keep it in a state of poverty and instability. African leaders need to be careful with their words and actions, avoiding empty promises that could create unrest. They must also be accountable for their decisions and follow through on commitments to establish trust and credibility with the people.
Despite its wealth of resources and human capital, Africa needs to focus towards inclusive and sustainable development. The African Union and other regional organizations should lead and coordinate efforts to drive development across the continent, encouraging collaboration and sharing of expertise among countries.
Breaking free from dependency is essential for Africa to unlock its potential and become a global leader in innovation and development. To do this requires sustained commitment and ownership of the continent’s future. Africa must rise to the challenge and utilize its potential for the benefit of its entire people.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 13 MAY 2023
