Dr. Abejide Olusegun
Reciprocity in international relations extends beyond visa policies and diplomatic gestures; it embodies the assertion of national and continental sovereignty against dominating global forces. Africa has long endured the influence and control of Western nations, particularly the United States and Europe. Their policies, military presence, economic constraints, and diplomatic maneuvers have left Africa subservient, restricting its ability to exercise full control over its resources, economy, and political destiny. However, history illustrates that nations and regions resisting external domination eventually rise to claim their rightful place in global affairs. India, China, and various Asian nations have shown that breaking free from Western control is achievable, and Africa must chart a similar course.
As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria must set the standard for reciprocity in global engagements. The United States requires that visa applicants provide their social media handles for scrutiny, illustrating its dominance in dictating the terms of engagement. In contrast, when African nations try to impose even minimal restrictions on American citizens, they face outcry, resistance, or outright dismissal. This imbalance cannot persist. Nigeria, representing Africa, must respond with equivalent demands: implementing stringent visa requirements for Americans, scrutinizing their diplomatic missions, and taking a firm stance on their business operations within the continent. To earn respect, Africa must demand it.
The necessity for African unity has never been more pressing. A divided Africa is a weak Africa, susceptible to manipulation and exploitation. The Yoruba saying “Gbongan o ju gbongan lo” underscores the truth that all nations are equal, and only those who yield in fear become pawns for others. It is time for Africa to assert itself, to confront America and the West with a firm declaration: enough is enough.
A unified Africa requires a single passport to eliminate barriers to intra-African travel and trade. The European Union has demonstrated the strength of a unified identification system. If a single European passport can facilitate movement across Europe, why should African nations cling to colonial-era borders that impede trade and progress? The African passport must gain global recognition and respect, allowing African citizens to feel at home anywhere on the continent without restrictive bureaucracies.
The foreign military presence in Africa is a lingering legacy of colonialism that continues to undermine the continent’s sovereignty. The deployment of U.S. and European troops on African soil prevents true independence for African nations. Their military bases and outposts act as strategic points for exerting control over African governments, suppressing uprisings that threaten Western interests, and inhibiting the development of self-sufficient defense systems. Africa must assertively demand the withdrawal of all foreign troops from its territory. For genuine security, Africa must rely on its forces, rather than on foreign military entities whose loyalties lie elsewhere.
This principle also applies to Africa’s coastal waters. No foreign naval vessels should patrol these waters without explicit permission from an African-led governing body. For too long, Western nations have leveraged their naval power to dictate the terms of African trade, fisheries, and maritime security. By controlling African waters, they control African economies. An independent Africa must reclaim its coastlines, regulate foreign access, and establish a strong naval force to protect its maritime interests.
Economic independence is essential for true sovereignty. Africa cannot remain the world’s supplier of raw materials while simultaneously being a consumer of finished Western products. African commodities, including oil, gold, cocoa, and uranium, should be processed within Africa before export. The current system, which allows raw materials to be extracted cheaply and processed abroad for exorbitant resale prices, is a neocolonial trap that keeps Africa in a state of dependency. If Asia can industrialize and manage its production processes, so too can Africa. Any foreign entity seeking to trade with Africa must do so on Africa’s terms—eliminating exploitation and unfair agreements.
Another vital economic step is to stop the importation of trucks, cars, and transportation equipment that Africa is unable to produce. The continent’s heavy reliance on foreign automobiles and transportation infrastructure is a significant vulnerability that needs to be addressed. African nations must invest in their automotive industries, creating vehicles that meet local needs and ensuring that imports do not undermine domestic production. Just as China built its automotive sector from the ground up and emerged as a global powerhouse, Africa must strive to do the same.
Western powers have long played a decisive role in Africa’s conflicts, often exacerbating tensions for their own strategic and economic interests. The United States and European nations have fueled divisions, and armed factions, and undermined peace efforts whenever they align with their geopolitical objectives. Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria serve as stark examples of how Western interference perpetuates instability. The belief that Western nations bring peace is a dangerous myth—history demonstrates that their involvement frequently leads to prolonged chaos. Africa must assume full responsibility for its conflicts and resolve them through African-led initiatives, free from Western interference.
To enforce these principles of sovereignty, Africa needs to establish a unified military command—an African High Command that comprises an integrated Army, Navy, and Air Force. This continental force should not be merely symbolic but a robust military institution capable of defending Africa from foreign aggression, securing its borders, and deterring any attempts at recolonization. Europe, the U.S., and China respect strength, not weakness. If Africa seeks to be taken seriously, it must develop a formidable military force that projects strength and defends its interests.
For too long, Africa has been a playground for foreign powers, exploited and manipulated for their benefit. History has shown that nations that take bold steps toward sovereignty eventually break free from external control. India, despite enduring a long history of British colonial rule, fought for and secured its independence through relentless struggle and strategic planning. Today, it stands as a global power. China, after suffering under Western and Japanese imperialism, transformed itself into an economic and military giant through disciplined policies and a refusal to be subjugated. Vietnam, having endured a brutal war with the U.S., emerged victorious and now commands respect on the global stage. If these nations could rise against Western dominance, why can’t Africa?
The time for action is now. Africa must stop waiting for permission to assert its independence. The world will not grant Africa sovereignty; Africa must seize it. The African Union must move beyond rhetoric and implement policies that protect the continent’s interests. Africa’s leaders must reject Western dictates and prioritize the well-being of their people. Every African nation must contribute to a shared vision of unity, security, and economic independence.
A new era is approaching—one in which Africa no longer submits to Western demands. In this era, African nations will unite, advocating for equal treatment in international relations. The principle of reciprocity should extend beyond visa policies to encompass all areas of Africa’s interactions with the world. Africa must reject its status as a second-class entity in global affairs. It is time to restore the continent’s dignity, assert its sovereignty, and demand the respect that has long been overdue.
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