New opportunities are opening up. New leaders are emerging. New discourses are beginning to inform both political structure and social action. What is certain is that Africa will never be the same again. Africa is in transition, prophesies Prof. K Mathews,* a keen Africa-watcher

SWEEPING developments are taking place throughout the continent of Africa today. The end of the Cold War has ushered in a new era of democratization and market-oriented economies. Following the ending of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, the continent has entered a new stage in its socio-political development. A new Pan-African body, the African Union (au) on the lines of the European Union (eu) was formally inaugurated in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002. The launching of a significant and comprehensive economic recovery programme called the “New Partnership for Africa’s Development” (nepad) in October 2001 is giving the continent new direction for growth and development. An African Economic Community (aec) which came into formal existence in 1994 is making steady progress. Preparations are underway to establish a Pan-African Parliament (pap) and other institutions with a view to unite the continent.In short, after independence in the 1950s and early 1960’s, Africa has come a long way. Many people still talk about Africa as a “dark continent”, as if it had no history, culture or achievements. Unfortunately, however, not many people are acquainted with the past of Africa. Even what most people know about Africa is only partially correct. Africa is too vast and complex Contemporary Africa.

When India got Independence in 1947, there were only four independent countries in Africa including the white-ruled South Africa (others being Ethiopia, Liberia and Egypt). The eradication of the brutal system of apartheid in South Africa in 1994 formally marked the end of political liberation in Africa. The emergence of such a large number of new nations on the continent of Africa has been an event of far-reaching importance in contemporary international relations. In May 1963, the then independent 32 countries established the Organisation of African Unity (oau) to work for the total liberation, unity and progress of the continent. Over the years, African nations have come to assume an increasingly important role in world affairs. They together constitute well over a quarter of the membership of the United Nations and nearly half of the membership of the Non-aligned Movement (nam).

Africa is important for other countries from different perspectives. For example, for a variety of reasons Africa should figure more prominently in Indian’s foreign policy and relations. Economically, Africa offers enormous scope for mutually beneficial South-South trade and commercial linkages. Politically, the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in South Africa was in line with the basic principles of India’s foreign policy. Geo-strategically the collaboration between India and Africa is vital in maintaining the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace to promote their foreign trade and enhance their mutual security interests. Besides, the protection of the life and well being of a large number of people of Indian Origin and Indian nationals in Africa should be a vital concern to India’s foreign policy. Further, cultivation of friendly relations with the 54 independent nations in Africa to gain support in various international forums for policies which India considers vital to its national interests, such as securing a permanent membership of the Security Council, is important for India’s foreign policy.

Emerging Scenario

The dramatic changes in the global system after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union have had a far-reaching impact on Africa. A new wind of change, a second liberation is now underway. During the decade of the 1990s, Africa witnessed new, inclusive multi-party elections in more than 40 countries, the most dramatic of which being the historic political transition in South Africa in 1994. In 1999, following the successful second general elections, South Africa became a majority ruled non-racial, democratic state under the new President, Thabo Mbeki. In Nigeria, after 16 years of continuous military rule, the country’s Third Republic was inaugurated in May 1999 with Olusegun Obasanjo as the new civilian president. In the recent general elections held in April, Obasanjo was re-elected. In Algeria, after seven years of bitter civil strife successful elections were held in April 1999 when the new civilian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika assumed power from the military. In Ghana, in December 2000, a new civilian President, John A. Kufuor, leader of the Opposition, assumed power at the end of nearly 20 years of military and civilian rule of J.J. Rawlings. Democracy may still be a tender plant in Africa, but the unprecedented democratic advance, advent of multi-partyism and transition to power through democratic elections are there for all to see.

The liberation of South Africa in 1994 signalled a new beginning not only for that country but for the entire continent. With the most powerful economy and military on the continent South Africa is destined to play a leadership role in Africa. Indeed, South Africa’s reintegration with the rest of the continent has been a very significant event in the contemporary history of Africa. There is a growing optimism about the future of Africa today. The new South Africa is becoming a linchpin in the Africa Economic Community (aec) which formally came into existence also in 1994 as envisaged in the Abuja Treaty of June 1991.

As noted at the outset, momentous changes are taking place in Africa in the early years of the 21st century. The most conspicuous development is the drive towards regionalisation and unification of Africa, which reflects the natural urge of the African countries towards better economic and eventually political integration and their seriousness in addressing the problem of market fragmentation. A new Pan-African organization, the African Union (au), replacing the old oau, came into existencein July 2001.It was formally launched in Durban on 9 July 2002. With the formal take-off of the African Union, countries in the African continent are very hopeful that the new body will serve them better than the old oau, which for much of its 38 years of existence has been criticised for being an ineffectual voice of the African people, though, despite its shortcomings, the oau has long made significant contributions to Africa, in addition to its pivotal role in the decolonisation of the continent.

As a result of the ever-worsening status of Africa in the world, particularly in the ongoing context of globalisation, contemporary African leaders began to search for ways of re-positioning African in the emerging global system. The most important development in this regard is the launching of a new and significant economic recovery programme called the “New Partnership for Africa’s Development”(nepad) launched in October 2001. It is a comprehensive programme designed to move Africa forward in the 21st century. This important document, now under discussion all over Africa and outside, is anchored on the determination of Africans to extricate themselves from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in the globalizing world.

However, Africa is facing many critical challenges in the 21st century. The challenge of globalisation is probably the most critical challenge for Africa. Globalisation represents not just the increased mobility of capital, skills, and technology, but also a reconfiguring of global power relations. It opens up numerous opportunities while constituting formidable obstacles to weak and powerless communities. Most countries of the South, particularly African countries, have not been able to reap the benefits from globalisation because of several weaknesses such as lack of domestic capacity, weak social infrastructure, low export prices, decline in terms of trade, debt crisis, lack of technology and economic mis-management among others.

A second challenge is the rise of ethnic and social parochialism which now constitute a major constraint to democracy and democratisation. There is the related challenge of leadership. There are many other challenges including economic and political disparities, problems of national integration, western intervention, poverty and widespread human rights violations etc.

Without doubt Africa today is at a great conjuncture. New opportunities are opening up. New leaders are emerging. New discourses are beginning to inform both political structure and social action. What is certain is that Africa will never be the same again. Africa is in transition. New constitutions such as those in South Africa, Ghana, Eritrea, Ethiopia etc. contain innovative efforts to reassure minorities, protect human rights, ensure rule of law and contain military. This is encouraging. An African socio-cultural renaissance is a sine qua-non not only for sustainable growth and development but also to reverse the marginalisation of Africa by the rich industrialized countries of the north.

More recent developments in international relations such as the 9/11 attack on America and the wanton Anglo- American invasion of Iraq in March –April point to the dire need for Africa, India and other countries of the South to work for the establishment of a new world order based on respect for International Law and the authority of the United Nations.

The Iraq war has revived the whole issue relating to the importance and relevance of the un for Africa and India. Africa and the Third World today is at the crossroads. More than ever before, South-South cooperation is the need of the hour. Greater democratisation of international institutions is a vital necessity. Africa, India and other Third World countries should use the instrumentality of the forums like the nam and G-77 to take necessary initiatives for the establishment of a New Democratic and Just World Order. Africa and India can definitely play an important role in the emerging world disorder.

* The author is Professor of African Studies at the University of Delhi and Editor of Africa Quarterly published by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations