President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a bold statement against the forces that have plundered Africa in the past, reaffirming that the continent will resist a new scramble going forward. He also warned that Africa cannot attain integration and prosperity while Africans languish in pain and anguish

President Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), rejected the idea of new scrambles for the continent in his speech titled ‘Address on Status of Regional Integration in ECOWAS’ at the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5th MYCM) of the African Union (AU) in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday, July 16th, 2023.

President Tinubu at AU Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya

He sternly warned the observers who are proposing new scrambles for the continent that it is now stronger than in the past when it was exploited, indicating that it must not happen again. “Some observers assert a new scramble for Africa is afoot and it is much like the old scramble that plundered our continent.

“But, here and now, let it be said to whomever the new scramblers might be that our continent may be old but our spirit is new. And it is strong. The bad that took place in the past must stay there. It shall never be repeated”, the president said.

The president of Nigeria issued a warning to his counterparts, the other African heads of state, warning them that if they chose to entertain passivity, it would endanger the continent and impede its development. He added that previous experiences should serve as a great reminder to them that the rest of the world can be cruel to the continent if they allow it.

President Tinubu with Dr. Adesina of AfDB and Prof Oramah of Afrexim Bank

He further emphasized the need for the African continent to focus on good governance and inclusive growth as made possible by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) in order to overcome its challenges and work toward a prosperous future.

He explained that African leaders must “forge ahead no matter the barriers thrust before us. ..The world we inhabit is often unkind and uncertain. Past history and current global difficulties argue against our future success.

“Lessons from the past few years teach us that the world economy can be disrupted in ways that halt progress and invite a downturn. Our nations can suddenly find themselves in dire situations if we choose to be passive observers of our fate.

”Such passivity does not commend itself to me. I will not listen to it. Neither should any African. The challenges we face mean that governance will be difficult”, he said.

Acknowledging the insecurity and instability of democracy on the continent, President Tinubu noted that it would be impossible for the leaders to bring out the relevance of the discussion held on the economy if no consideration was given to the conflicts across Africa.

He warned that the continent might not achieve implementation of economic policy without prioritising the values of life in some countries battling terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government.

“We sit here in meaningful discussion of vital economic matters. Yet, it will be impossible to bring full meaning to what we attempt unless we give due consideration to the instability and conflict that now scar many of our nations. The fullness of the integration we seek will elude us as long as several of our nations stand in the midst of violence and war.

”The trade and commerce we talk of today refers to valued goods and services that improve life. The trade and commerce these nations suffer is of destruction and disorder that takes lives and steals opportunity. We cannot integrate Africa and attain the prosperity we seek while our nearby brothers and sisters suffer in pain and anguish, they should not suffer. We must advance as one continent toward peace and prosperity.

“Otherwise, we risk the creation of two or more Africa, one a select group of nations moving steadily while the rest remain trapped in the age-old mire of poverty, conflict and lack of hope. It is very clear that in the area of peace, security, and stability, our region is confronted with the twin challenges of terrorism and reversal of democratic gains through undemocratic changes of Government”, he stated.

Therefore, President Tinubu noted that he had issued instructions to the ECOWAS nations to strengthen the fight against terrorism and military coups throughout the region of the continent by raising funds domestically to meet the challenges.

“The Authority has also resolved to raise our own funding internally to finance the peace support operations in our community. Meanwhile, we have continued to monitor the transition programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea,” he said.