International Relations in Africa 1.pptx

International Relations in Africa Introduction International relations attempt to explain these interactions and behaviors originating within one country or state and are targeted towards members of other countries or state, especially, when interdependence is a matter of necessity and not option...

International Relations in Africa Introduction International relations attempt to explain these interactions and behaviors originating within one country or state and are targeted towards members of other countries or state, especially, when interdependence is a matter of necessity and not optional. Such broader relationships could be institutional; privately, state, or intergovernmental to oversee these interactions or relationships. STATEHOOD OF PRE- COLONIAL AFRICA Pre-colonial Africa pertains to the historical period of time before the colonization of the territory and people known today as Africa and Africans, respectively, by the European powers after the Berlin conference of 1884-85. Cell, J. W. (2009) posits that “pre-colonial Africa generally refers to the period before African domination by the European powers. That is before colonialism.” Then, the continent was characterized by a large degree of pluralism with high varied nature. Most of which were state run refer to as Empires or Kingdoms founded on the principles of communism in that they were self-governing, as an autonomous entities with relatively defined territorial jurisdictions, (although, not self-sufficiency nor self- sustaining). How to celebrate the Montevideo convention of 1933 sets out requirements and expectations for statehood which includes; a) Permanent population b) Defined territory c) Government and d) The capacity to enter into relations with other states.  Continuation This Montevideo convention clearly spelled out the necessary conditions which pave the way for international relations to take place. Though, such interactions are not an exclusively reserved of government officials. However, this gave us an insight to the fact that international relations can only take place when government and citizens of different national background and identity chart their course together. He (Anene) as stated earlier, help us to buttressed the fact that many African political entities (kanem- Bornu inclusive) have attained the status of statehood even before the Montevideo declaration. Did Pre-Colonial African States engage in International Relations? To whether, the Pre-colonial African states like kanem-Bornu were engaged in any form of external relations as raised by the Montevideo convention called for attention and the quest for answer. Fage (1996) argument did not only inform us about these interactions that occurred among the pre- colonial African states but also the driving forced that necessitate it. He posits that “before colonialism, heterogeneous Africa was organized into states, nations … Each state have its sets rules, leadership procedures and culture. Due to its large region and population, there is a struggle, for control of power, resources, and land. These natural struggles for nature therefore led to means of inter states relationships. Most of the relations either took the form of alliance, subservient or truce; for economic benefit, political alliance or protection”. proposition reveals or buttressed the fact that pre-colonial African states where autonomous, with sovereign authority, self-governing as well as occupied a definite territory. But the inherent internal contradictions and quest for power, dominance, resource control, identity and desire for acquisition of land or extension of sphere of influence necessitate the interactions that cut across sovereign entities which took place during the era. Just like the antecedents that took place in Europe during and after the industrial revolution that led to conquest of foreign lands (Africa inclusive). Which they (Colonialists) refer to as virgin land had if humanity never inhabited such place. Let not depart from our central argument of Pre-colonial African capacities and/or abilities to engage themselves in external relations. This is because, neither individual nor state or even group that is self- sufficient, self-sustaining nor self-reliance such that it wouldn’t look up to others. None can survive alone because non can live in an island. Therefore, isolationism in international relations is perhaps an antithesis to genuine, vibrant and holistic development. Forms of Relationship The end product of these quest is often military confrontation, economic ties, truce, domination (subservient), political alliances and security alliances or protection. From the time unmemorable, these are the same issues that define the nature, direction and character of states foreign policies in the international system. Therefore, worthy of note is the fact that national interest is neither immune to such Empires and/or Kingdoms nor an exclusive preserve of modern international relations and western concept. He (Fage, 1996) further argues that “…trade and as well as high governmental relationships between the states were also obvious”. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Forms of Relationship Actually, trading activities were glaring among pre-colonial African states as well as the apparent relationships both vertical and horizontal. National survival interest is the major causation of external relations engage or supported by states. These same states (Empires and/or Kingdoms) were the dominant factors, serving as the primary actors in these inter-state relations (a resemblance of the modern international system). Hence, it is imperative to note that these pre-colonial African relationships or interactions across borders had taken an international dimension. Since, it involved government and people of different pre-colonial states.