Independent African States and Foreign Policy Direction: A diplomatic analysis

Abstract

Perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of nationhood and nation building in which most Independent African States are failing, wobbling and fumbling is the Foreign Policy direction. It is very obvious that the Independent African States have not been able to understand let alone replicate the underlying principles and theories guiding foreign policy direction as inherited from their colonial masters. Even Ethiopia which had no colonial cleavages hasn’t gotten it right. Although America also suffered from colonial adventure, she has indeed mastered the art and act of effective and efficient foreign policy guideline in strict compliance with national and citizens’ interests. This concept has even been escalated to the level of “America First” by the Trump administration. This paper argues that it has become absolutely necessary for the Independent African States to begin to take a very critical look at the foreign policy direction in their struggle for nationhood, nation building and national development. The determinants of foreign policy across Africa should be articulated in such a way as to reflect their national interests in all circumstances. The main proposition in this paper is that domestic changes in Independent African States should necessarily lead to a reshuffling of foreign policy objectives with a renewed emphasis on national and citizens’ interests along with improved relations with the African neighbours. Perhaps South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda and a few African states have been able to manipulate the post colonial foreign policy era in their national interests, many others have not in absolute terms been able to extricate their foreign policy mechanism from the colonial aprons. Diplomacy devoid of emotive considerations and primordial undertones is required to advance the national and citizens’ interests of Independent African States.