 "'Africa must prioritise its interest': Ex-Mali PM explains how a turbulent continent can navigate new world order")
Former Prime Minister of Mali Mousa Mara said that the countries in Africa should build strong democratic institutions so that no one can take advantage of the region’s resources. The remarks from Mara came during his conversation with Lukhanyo Neer, Chief Operating Officer, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, South Africa, at Firstpost IdeasPod. The panel also included Comfort Ero, President and Chief Executive Officer, of International Crisis Group, the United Kingdom.
When asked about the rising “mineral diplomacy” and how External actors are taking interest in the resources Africa has to offer, both Mara and Ero emphasised that the countries need to strengthen their government and political institutions before getting involved with global actors.
“If a state is weak, external forces will take advantage. That is why we must build strong, democratic institutions capable of managing our resources,” former Mali Prime Minister averred. “I am not against resource deals, but Africa must prioritize its interests in the short, medium, and long term. We should work with whoever respects our sovereignty and benefits our people,” he added.
Referring to her experience working in the region, Ero recalled that the continent has witnessed several resource-driven conflicts. “Africa has always been subject to resource-driven conflicts. When I started my career, Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were embroiled in conflicts fueled by diamonds and timber,” she said. “When weak governance and external interests collide, conflicts emerge,” she added.
Global order & Africa’s position
With the two wars raging on in the world, West has been increasingly distracted by crises in Europe and the Middle East. When asked about what would happen to the continent it Western nations withdrew from peacekeeping and mediation efforts, Ero noted that the US is not “withdrawing from the continent, it is redefining its engagement.”
“The US is not withdrawing—it is redefining its engagement. It wants to renegotiate the terms of its global influence. The real question is, who will step in to fill the vacuum?” she asked. “China is not ready to take on this role. Other nations may try to dismantle global structures that do not serve their interests. The real issue for Africa is whether our institutions and leaders are prepared to take responsibility.”
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“For too long, African leaders have talked about “African solutions for African problems” but have failed to take real action. These conflicts have international consequences, and the global community cannot just step back and expect Africa to handle them alone.” she furthered.
The need for African Unity
Mara emphasised that to make an impact at the global level, the continent needs to unite. “Look at how African nations voted on Ukraine at the UN—some supported it, some opposed it, and some abstained. As long as Africa remains divided, we will not have a strong voice on the global stage,” he said.
“We must speak with one voice, especially on major issues like climate change and UN reforms. Unity is the key to seizing this moment,” the former Mali premier added. Ero said that the continent can bring long-lasting speech to the region by committing to the African Union.
“We need real commitment to implementing the African Union’s Constitutive Act. If it were followed properly, we would see a very different continent,” she explained. “Leadership is the answer. Five to seven key African countries must take charge—Nigeria, South Africa, and others must step up. Nigeria, in particular, should not be inward-focused but should lead West Africa and even the continent,” Mara added.
When asked about ECOWAS’s inconsistent approach—suspending countries, then lifting suspensions, the former prime minister said: “The problem with military rulers is that they are not fit to govern. They do not understand the complexity of governance. They only know how to use force.”
“We must talk to them, pressure them, and use civil society to demand their withdrawal from leadership. Military rule cannot solve Africa’s crises,” he added. “ECOWAS was once a model for regional security, making the critical decision to prioritize security for economic integration. But today, we see a reversal of fortunes. The multilateral bodies on the continent are struggling to respond effectively, even though they have all the necessary information,” Ero averred.
“It’s not about missing warning signs—it’s about political will. It’s about deciding that these crises require immediate attention rather than rushing to peacekeeping,” she concluded. Both delegations emphasised that the foundation of governance in African nations needs to strengthen before one talks about regional stability.
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