They are poised to find new alliances for cooperation. The world is watching whether the new alliances will come from the West, East, Asia, Arab world. The four countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal have all noticed the presence of French troops out of their territories. Their next moves will probably be to get rid of the CFA which is considered a colonial instrument of economic subjugation and infringement on National Sovereignty. The impression given by the pronouncements of some of the leaders is that these moves does not mean giving their backs completely to France but it is for a new relationship that could usher in a win-win situation between France and the said countries. This is the Pan African assertiveness these generations of young leaders are advocating. Many African leaders who had the same dream over the years, have been flushed out by their own African brothers with the aid of external influences. The question now is the sustainability of this exercise of independence and national sovereignty. While the mineral resources are available to back Pan African decisiveness, the political will to move the whole continent in the direction of the countries mentioned may not be forthcoming. It is expected that external powers will not sit and watch losing grip on a continent they have managed to dominate throughout history. It is interesting that the African Union, ECOWAS and other bodies have not been vocal enough on the current turn of events in West Africa. If Africa must unite then it should be decided to either work on complete decolonization by supporting the cause of these countries or continue to work for international cooperation that may not all necessarily be in the supreme interest of the continent and its peoples. I wondered to myself what kind of continental politics is at stake in the liberation of Africa. While we are witnessing the dismantling of neocolonialism in some parts of Africa, we are seeing that BRICKS countries including some Africans are trying to move away from using the US dollar currency in international trade. The politics of transactional relationships is assuming a new face in the African political realm. Where all this will lead to in global geopolitics is worth consideration by the continent’s leadership. It will not be an easy ride for African liberation and economic emancipation. The need therefore, for a strategic political and diplomatic platform for international support and mobilization to be worked out cannot be overemphasized. There is no doubt that many in the developed world will view this new era of Panafricanism as a threat to their system of economic interest. After all, the world was built on African labor, blood and resources. For Africa to move on in this spirit, will be a challenge of the first magnitude.
