Creating The Africa We Want from AGENDA 2063

‘....Agenda 2063, rooted in Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, provides a robust framework for addressing past injustices and the realization of the 21st Century as the African Century’

Whilst the International Development front tangles with the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union has charted its own developmental cause for the African Continent with the mantra ‘Agenda 2063’- The Africa we want. This Continent wide development initiative is not the first of its kind as there has been the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) initiative, aimed at attaining the MDGs.

Source: www.un.org

‘Agenda 2063’ was conceived as a building block from the Pan-Africanist ideas that founded the OAU (organization for Africa Unity) in Addis Ababa in 1963, with a vision to liberate Africa from the shackles of colonialism. And yes, amid the uncertainties of that era, the struggle was won; though there still remain pockets of colonial enclaves dotting from Mayotte, The Chagos Islands and Western Sahara, the abolishment of the Apartheid regime in South Africa remains a sterling fulfilment of the struggles of the OAU in this regard. As such, the opening statement of ‘Agenda 2063’ pays tribute to the initial strides of Pan-Africanism viz:

OAU founding fathers, Kwame Nkrumah and  Haile Selassie at the inauguration of the OAU in Addis Ababa in May 25 1963
Source: bbcnews.com

‘We, the people of Africa and her Diaspora, united in diversity, young and old, men and women, girls and boys from all walks of life, deeply conscious of history, express our deep appreciation to all generations of Pan-Africanist. In particular to the founders of the Organization of African Unity for having bequeathed us an Africa with exemplary successes in the fight against slavery, colonialism and apartheid...’

 CREATING THE AFRICA WE WANT from lessons from the past

This being the mantra of Agenda 2063, the thought of achieving the dream defines its call to action; for the cause of Pan Africanism has transmuted from that of anti-colonial struggles, to administering good governance and attaining sustainable development. The fifty year plan of action which connotes Agenda 2063 was born on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the OAU in May 2013; having succeeded in achieving political independence for 98% of Africa after 50years of its founding.

Source:http://agenda2063.au.int/en/documents/agenda-2063-africa-we-want-popular-version-2nd-edition

Though Pan Africanism seems to be building on a success story of political independence, it will be fool hardy not to take into cognisance the ensuing political maladministration which brewed ethno-religious conflicts/civil wars and near/total economic collapse in most African Countries after their Independence. This disgustingly ‘turned the beggar bowl’ into the hands of most African leaders to the global bipolar powers. As such, Africa has always blamed its woes on the global bipolar actors; from the throes of colonialism, internal/external conflicts, to economic woes.  Such defines the saying that

Africa has achieved political but not economic independence!

Agenda 2063 is an audacious plan and going forward; there are veritable lessons that must be taken into cognisance. After 50 years of amateurship in political leadership and governance, charting a fifty year sustainable development plan calls to question the virtues of competence and dedication in these areas of deficiency. Yet, as inordinate as it seems, it’s achievable.

The world has seen development examples in the Marshall plan that rebuilt a devastated Europe after World War 2; the full emergence and dominance of Asia tiger Nations of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea and not to talk of the glories of the Asiatic powers in China and Japan. All these Nations had one thing in common—they shared trademark devastation from the shackles of Colonialism and Warfare after the Second World War and then emerged to the zenith of development less than 50 years after! Of course, Africa nations must begin to rethink their strategic plan of action in achieving Agenda 2063.. However, one thing must be jettisoned- Africans should stop blaming outside forces especially colonist for its woes.

'PARTNERSHIPS'

The walk of Agenda 2063 will be best achieved if complemented by foreign partnerships. As much as African solutions to African problems are being sought, it will be fool hardy to ignore the investive overtures of foreign partners especially the sincere ones.

As a point of note, China has acted and fulfilled a self tasking donation of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by wholly constructing and donating the ultra modern Africa Union Headquarters building. As such, the Chinese are no push overs in terms of being development partners. More than that, it would be worthy of note for Africa to understudy the Chinese development success story and imbibe some doctrines where necessary.

The $200million AU ultra modern  Headquarter complex donated and constructed by China at Addis Ababa

Africa like China has footprints in indigenous civilization straddling from the Nile Valley in Egypt and Ethiopia to ruins of Great Zimbabwe in the South. India too like China, having an indigenous civilization success story has built on its past despite being colonized to overthrowing the West in the advancement of Software technology, genetic modified medicine/technology and as such spreading her developmental innovations to several sectors. Identifying Africa as a partner in progress, the Indian Prime Minister during the Inaugural India-Africa summit made this statement

"The hearts of 1.25 billion Indians and 1.25 billion Africans are in rhythm. We are united by youth - two thirds of India and Africa are below 35. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build,"...Narenda Modi (Indian Prime Minister)

As the journey into Agenda 2063 is being made, Africa should envy the development strategy of the World’s two most populous nations. Surely there are lots of positives to imitate.

THE AFRICA WE WANT

With so much talk on the diversity and plurality of Africa’s populace, the Chinese and Indians have in their endeavours belittled this. What’s next for Africa is to look beyond its current struggles and march on to the Eldorado of development. The vast human and natural resources provides no room for excuse. Acknowledging the efforts of regional blocs at regional integration from free movement of people and goods, this can be built upon by linking the entire continent by rail.

Of course, talk is cheap but in actualizing Agenda 2063, there must be special focus on African induced technological advancement and industrialization. Away from the talk of gender and sundry rights issues, a self driven technology will surely set Agenda 2063 in auto pilot.

Whilst appreciating the efforts of foreign partners, it is pertinent that the materiel and personnel for Africa’s development future is solely African. Africa cannot keep using non African produced essential products like cars, machines, Infrastructure fittings, clothes etc and expect to attain Agenda 2063. Africa’s educational ivory towers must be empowered to initiate the drive through research funding and project utilization. Only then can we have the Africa we want.

The Youth as drivers for ‘Agenda 2063’

 According to the African Union Commission webpage on youth, ‘About 65% of the total population of Africa are below the age of 35 years, and over 35% are between the ages of 15 and 35 years - making Africa the most youthful continent. By 2020, it is projected that out of 4 people, 3 will be on average 20 years old.

The Youths of all climes are conduits of development in their vicinity and any attempt to disenfranchise their productivity through unemployment has always proved destructive to the society and world at large. Examples of such abound in the fascist movement in Europe that fueled the 2nd World War, several guerrilla movements that fueled civil wars around Africa in the last quarter of the 20th Century, the burgeoning revolution of the Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East and social vices of armed robbery and gangsterism; all of which make use of youths as foot soldiers.

As such, it is imperative that the African youth be positively engaged and harnessed. Only then can Agenda 2063 for ‘the Africa we want’ be achieved.