Africa demands fair role in shaping new world order
Leaders stress equitable global governance and economic reforms at international forums amid rising geopolitical tensions
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (MNTV) – African leaders are pushing for a more equitable role for the continent in the emerging global order, as the world witnesses major geopolitical shifts.
At recent international forums, leaders from across Africa have emphasized that the continent must not be sidelined as power dynamics evolve between the United States, China, Russia, and Europe.
African Union (AU) officials argue that the world is entering a new phase marked by economic instability, intensified resource competition, and rising militarization. They warn that unless Africa asserts its voice, it risks remaining a passive player rather than a shaper of global rules and institutions.
Calls for reform of the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank have grown louder. Leaders stress that Africa, representing 1.5 billion people, needs permanent seats and fairer voting rights to influence decisions impacting its future.
“We must refuse to be spectators in global affairs. Africa has the youth, resources, and innovation to lead,” said AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. “We will not accept a world order built without us.”
The economic landscape also presents challenges. Rising global interest rates, climate disasters, and food insecurity have left many African nations struggling under mounting debt. Analysts note that while G7 countries pledge support, debt relief and fair trade practices remain elusive.
Some African leaders also highlight the danger of the continent becoming a battleground for great power rivalry, especially in light of new military bases, arms deals, and covert operations by external powers.
“Neo-colonial patterns must end,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. “Our partnerships must be based on mutual respect, not exploitation or militarization.”
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), launched in 2021, is viewed as a major tool to reduce reliance on external powers. It aims to boost intra-African trade, industrialization, and homegrown innovation. However, progress has been slow due to infrastructure gaps, political instability, and fragmented markets.
Diplomats point to increasing African participation in the BRICS alliance, which recently expanded to include Egypt and Ethiopia, as a sign that Africa is seeking alternative platforms to assert its interests.
Nevertheless, challenges persist. A new scramble for African minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths — essential for green technologies — has intensified fears of resource extraction without local benefit.
Academics and activists call for a “pan-African renaissance” where unity, social justice, and sustainable development guide the continent’s role in global affairs.
In a statement, the Pan-African Parliament said: “Africa’s time is now. We must rewrite the rules of the global system to reflect fairness, justice, and true partnership.”
The coming decade, analysts say, will determine whether Africa rises as a full architect of the future world order — or remains trapped in cycles of dependency and marginalization.
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