By Osaji Joy
An elder statesman and a nonagenarian, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has urged African leaders to promote peace and stability across the continent.
Anyaoku made this appeal on Thursday in his opening remarks at the 2023 Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria(AFRPN) anual conference in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Examining The Nexus Between Foreign Policy Goals and Democratic Governance” Anyaoku said one of the three main challenges facing Africa after the struggle for freedom is insecurity and instability in governance.
“The three main challenges facing African countries now that we have completed the historic struggle for independence and freedom are: First, ensuring governance for peace and stability in the individual sovereign states.
“Second, pursuing national development including effective collaboration amongst African States. And thirdly, playing a commensurate role in global affairs by a continent that contains over 40 percent of the world’s crucial resources. Thereby, restoring to the African people, to the black race the dignity and respect which were seriously undermined by the transatlantic slave trade.” Anyaoku noted.
Speaking on the recent military coup in Niger Republic that toppled the democratic government, the third Commonwealth Secretary-General said whatever affect Niger Republic affects Nigeria, thus Nigerian government will do everything possible to ensure that democracy is restored.
He also appealed to African leaders to focus on ascertaining with greatest confidence individually and collectively Africa’s role in global affairs.
“I therefore take this opportunity to call upon African leaders, first to ensure that the politics and the governance in their country are inclusive and should promote peace and stability.
“Secondly, to move beyond rectorate of African unity and cooperation and focus on practical cooperation amongst African countries.
“Thirdly, to eschew what I call the psychology of subservience to centers of power outside Africa. And they should focus on ascertaining with greatest confidence individually and collectively Africa’s role in global affairs. Thereby ensuring what I was vigorously put by President Ruto of Kenya. When he said that Africa must be at the table not in the menu of global dining.” He appealed.
