Will the New Partnership for Africa's development (Nepad) make changes to Africa's International Relations?

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Will the New Partnership for Africa's development (Nepad) make changes to Africa's International Relations?

Introduction

The manner in which nation states relate to each other in the international system has always been influenced by a variety of factors. During the Cold War era or before the 'end of history' as Francis Fakuyama would affirm, ideology and to some extent militaristic capabilities played a major role in shaping relations of states in the global sphere, Africa included. After the demise of Cold War, a determinant factor on how states relate has been the political economy and/or developmental theories/politics. In Africa, economic development is one factor that has dominated the continental political and/or economic agenda, largely in the past decade.

It is nonetheless instructive to note and acknowledge that the major step towards development perhaps to be taken by African leaders was the configuration and adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD); and/or the reconfiguration of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union. Like various other agendas or programmes for economic development, NEPAD heralded or may herald a change in the manner in which African states relate to each other and how they view themselves in relation to the international system. Succinctly, NEPAD may influence change in Africa's International Relations, noting various political and socio-economic factors it brings forth.

The below opinionated discussion is destined at evaluating the manner in which NEPAD may change Africa's international relations. For coherence, a critical analysis of NEPAD will be given and the manner in which it may influence change of Africa's international relations ensues. An acknowledgment that the writing will reflect on ideas and views previously expressed about and around Africa's international relations and NEPAD must be a sufficing point of departure.

Discussion

There are divergent schools of thought as to probable outcome of NEPAD. The two broader categories can be summarised as thus: One which view NEPAD as a completely flawed developmental economic programme for Africa; and one which view NEPAD as a triumphant and successful programme which will significantly minimise suffering, poverty, underdevelopment and strife in Africa, through economic development. It must be highlighted that both schools of thought present hypothetically sound arguments and analyses, accordingly, perspective of how NEPAD may influence change in Africa's international relations will be provided in relation to these two thoughts.

A variety of developmental theorists, mostly NEPAD apologists have referred to this ostensible development blueprint for Africa as "declaration of a firm commitment by African leaders to take ownership and responsibility for sustainable development of the continent". Perhaps that supposition is an overstatement by both African leaders and proponents of NEPAD, which must be looked at and analysed before any discussion is phenomenon about the influence NEPAD can have on any sphere, International Relations included. Such analysis can happen with a concurrent discussion on the possible changes NEPAD can impact on Africa's international relations.

Since the early years of independence, the distinguishable feature of intra-African relations has been the endeavour by African governments to pursue and manage African politics on a continental scale. This objective finds its ultimate expression in the idea of African unity and/or pan Africanism and has been institutionally embodied in the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union1. To some extent, NEPAD as a socio-economic developmental programme within the AU is one agenda that moves towards consolidation of African unity, even at socio-economic level. NEPAD embodies what earlier post independence African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah had called for. When Kwame Nkrumah declared that 'Africa must unite!' he was acclaiming that Africans could challenge global disparities of power only by pooling resources of their economically weak and politically divided continent2. This view is currently reflected in NEPAD through its economic agenda and the its intermingled political function within the AU. Perhaps a slight difference between Nkrumah's call and NEPAD may be in relation to opposition to foreign intervention. Whilst NEPAD acknowledges the global markets, Nkrumah was firm in avoiding a situation where Africa would be subject to neo-colonialism and balkanisation3. The point of confluence in earlier ideas and NEPAD is that they are all propagating for African unity to address underdevelopment.

The most important acknowledgment to make is that African renewal programmes are not new in Africa as alluded to in the above subsection, and NEPAD forms part of those programmes, which will ostensibly address development in the continent. For various factors, NEPAD is viewed as a blueprint or "conceptual framework that will articulate a set of principles as pre-conditions for sustainable development in Africa4". Part of these pre-conditions, which converge in the concept of governance, are important factors such as peace; security; democracy; political, corporate and economic governance; and the related liberal ethics.
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The orthodox interpretation of the development pre-conditions as outlined by NEPAD is that peace, democracy; and good governance will attract investments and foreign aid, which will ultimately herald 'sustainable economic growth and development in Africa'. In its underdone conception, the move towards peace, democracy and good governance will improve the manner in which African states relate to each other, but will not necessarily attract investments to address the development question as NEPAD presupposes. If and when NEPAD objectives are realised, much emphasis on the visualised Africa, will be shifted from conflicts to economic development, and as thus relations ...

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