The just concluded 25th African Summit which took place in South Africa, like every other scenario, has some lessons. Though subtle, the African Summit have been able to tell us three major things which are laid bare before our very eyes.
Here, are some of the things we learnt from the African Summit:
Nigeria remains the powerhouse of Africa: The ascension of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed reminded Nigerians, Africans and the international community that Nigeria is still the main focus in Africa.
Although President Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan may not have painted Nigeria in good light before world leaders and the international community, the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari has shown that Nigeria is highly respected despite the several images Jonathan projected to the world in his six year reign as the President.
Nigeria enjoyed ‘special’ attention at the G-7 summit in Germany despite not being a member. While the G-7 nations include Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States, Nigeria was duly heard and represented. Germany Chancellor, Angela Merkel Admitted she had invited Buhari in order to find a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crises.
"We’ll also have a chance to talk about hot spots like Libya and Nigeria where obviously terrorism has gotten a foothold. And more affirmatively, we’re going to have the opportunity to continue the discussion bilaterally that we’ve been having with the other G7 members around issues like trade and climate change and the importance of US and British leadership on those issues." —Barack Obama.
Africa is under siege: There is no denying that Africa as a whole is riddled with one siege or another. The Chairperson of the African Summit, President Muhammadu Buhari, admitted that the continent is under siege.
“Our continent is currently bedevilled by the evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment,” he said. “The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.” –Muhammadu Buhari
US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also admitted that Africa has faced “some really horrendous terrorist attacks” in the past two years while announcing that the United States would contribute $5bn towards fighting Boko Haram.
While terrorism runs through Africa with different ideologies, names and modus operandi, one cannot but agree that Africa itself is fast becoming a battlefield for ‘unseen’ forces. The recent xenophobic attacks on non-South Africans in lower suburbs of the country is terrorism itself. Quite frankly no country on the black continent is spared and except African leaders join forces, a lasting solution may not be reached.
The place of women in Africa is minimally low: One of the reasons the 25th African Summit was birthed in the first place. The summit, themed: “Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063” exposed a common notion among African leaders and countries represented at the Summit in South Africa – the place of women in the society is low.
While there seems to be a subtle feministic movement among female folks in several parts of Africa, men and fellow women alike are not ready to entrust women with sensitive tasks and responsibilities in the society.
The immediate past Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan is described by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his book titled “My Watch”, as the ‘fifth and weakest of the five presidents ruling Nigeria’. According to the book, the other four presidents ruling the country at the time were females.
Women are generally perceived as ‘weak’ and easily governed by emotions. In an African setting, a woman could lose a political position to a man who is neither capable or ‘worthy’ of the position.
Hollywood actress and U.N. special envoy on refuge issues, Angelina Jolie who was also in attendance at the just concluded African Union Summit spoke on the injustice meted out against women.
“There is a global epidemic of violence against women – both within conflict zones and within societies at peace – and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority.” –Angelina Jolie
Africa as a whole remains a gender-sensitive continent and women are seen as striving to break into the “boys club” of the African Presidency.
Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/17/the-three-things-we-learnt-from-the-african-union-summit/cc Lalasticlala |
