Geopolitical Redux: why Africa ‘Exists’ in The Global System without Influence?

This essay forms part of my guest lecture to be delivered at the prestigious University of Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023. It is a scholarly arrangement within the broader partnership framework for research and internationalization of ideas. In this essay, I note that in the last decade, the relationship between African states and the rest of the world led by the US and China has burgeoned, albeit, remains skewed. I have likened this relationship to the analogy of a “butterfly”, in which case the western powers (led by the US and her allies) are akinto the “thorax” (center), while the African states represents the “wings” in the periphery. Further, the African diplomatic interaction with the emerging powers, notably, China and India, is no different from that of western powers. Before delving into the core of the lecture- which is, _Africa in the international system_, I have provided a framework of understanding how the global system works using a political philosophy prism. That is, ‘_existence’/ or_‘_inexistence’_ of African states in the global system. Closely tied to the philosophy of existence and truth, is the analysis of international system dynamism. The science of international system dynamism is explained using the British political geographer- Sir Halford J. Mackinder’s 1904 geographical pivot of history. Based on this theoretical framework and thinking of post-Mackinder world order, I have debunked the falsehood peddled by the western apologists, by bringing the audience to the understanding of the various versions of ‘_truth’_ and the role of intellectuals in rejecting a decorated ‘_truth’_ about the composition of the global system. I conclude by calling upon intellectuals who care for Africa’s progress to cause what I coin, a ‘_constructive disruption’_ in the global system. This disruption should be aimed at transforming African states from the comfort zone of interstate _stability_ and _durability _being witnessed today_, _into_ a _state of _being_ in competition with each other. I argue, moving away from this _arm chair_status, African states will resolve the problem of intrastate conflict and give birth to an African Hegemone that is badly needed on the continent. The phenomenon of African Hegemone would eventually form part of the bargain on the international table to enable African states access to permanent membership (_veto_ powers) into the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).