Democracy is a human aspiration; everyone needs to sense a feeling of representation, respect, mutual social contract, access to resources, and freedom of expression. When citizens take to the streets to protest or challenge the current regime, it usually concerns matters of resources, employment, the nation’s standards of living, and security. When the government chooses to prioritize western or foreign interests, it is a clear violation of the country’s constitution and democracy.
African governments are stuck in a loop of power and resource struggle; some regimes seek the best for their people, while others simply maintain the neo-colonialist agenda by undermining democratic rule and creating a socio-economic political circus.
The US declared developing countries not to build nuclear weapons as it will be regarded as an act of war; it’s an influence of another nation’s military force and capacity. Nigeria’s oil has been heavily jacked by foreign forces that encouraged the Boko Haram insurgency. South Africa is not allowed to manufacture their own vehicles because of trade agreements such as that of the AGOA. The international system is manipulating Africa to be a cheap source of resources and the best market for all kinds of products, especially cheaply made or defective ones.
Instruments for Underdevelopment and Authoritarianism
When there is conflict and turmoil, African resources become easily accessible to interested parties; the leaders in charge are usually puppets African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a U.S. trade initiative designed to enhance trade and economic relations with sub-Saharan African countries. While it has provided some benefits, it has also been criticized for reinforcing dependency on Western markets by making sure those states stay focused on exporting raw materials rather than developing local industries. This is why most African economies are stifled and cannot diversify and improve development. The frustration of poverty, unemployment and unequal treatment has fractured the concept of democracy in most African states.
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was a move aimed at promoting intra-African trade, but its implementation faced challenges, and countries like South Africa have been restricted in their ability to manufacture certain products, including vehicles, due to trade agreements that favor imports over local production. This has limited the growth of the local automotive industry and affected job creation in South Africa, and as a result, the democratic majority suffers through state capture by authoritarians and oligarchs.
Western nations often engage in military partnerships with African states under the guise of promoting stability and combating terrorism. However, these partnerships can lead to the militarization of politics and the suppression of democratic movements; the USA in Nigeria is a perfect case study example. U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel have sometimes supported authoritarian regimes. The lack of coherent strategies that balance security interests with democratic governance perpetuates cycles of conflict and underdevelopment.
The Toxicity behind International Partnerships
The European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries were said to be a stance in promoting trade and development; however, these agreements often favor European agricultural products and interests and undermine local farmers and industries. African economies have been riddled by increased poverty and social unrest due to the capacity hold on local economies’ capability to compete with subsidized European products.
South Africa’s trade agreements with the EU have also been criticized for allowing European products to flood the market, making it difficult for local manufacturers to compete. This has led to a reliance on imported vehicles rather than fostering a robust domestic manufacturing sector. Trade. Neo-colonialism exists today due to the corrupt nature of treaties and diplomacy. History successfully maintained ties with the present when it concerns influence and control; the colonial era is not too different from contemporary Africa except for the subtle approach and support from most African heads of state.
China is considered to be Africa’s friendly communist, and though the BRI’s impact led to an influx of Chinese investment in significant infrastructure development, it has also created a dependent relationship between Africa and China, the debt dependency. African countries may find themselves in precarious positions, where they are forced to make concessions that undermine their sovereignty and lead to internal conflict over resource allocation and governance; we see this in Zimbabwe’s extractive sectors such as mining and agriculture. This situation can exacerbate underdevelopment as funds are diverted to repay debts rather than being invested in local communities.
African countries may grant Chinese companies access to natural resources as a form of debt repayment, which may include mining rights or oil extraction agreements that prioritize foreign interests over local communities. Such arrangements can lead to environmental degradation and social unrest, as local populations may be displaced or see zilch benefit from the exploitation of their resources.
Significance of Democracy
Western aid often comes with conditions that require African states to implement specific economic policies. These policies can prioritize neoliberal reforms that may not align with local needs or contexts, leading to social discontent and conflict. For example, structural adjustment programs imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have historically led to sanctions and cuts in social services. Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe are such examples.
The interplay between trade agreements, diplomatic relations, and democracy in Africa reveals a complex landscape where Western engagement can influence political meddling, national instability, and fateful citizens. The focus on resource extraction, dependency on foreign markets, and the prioritization of security over democratic governance can create environments ripe for instability and undemocratic.
Reliance on trade agreements can also perpetuate authoritarian regimes if they use economic gains to suppress dissent rather than promote democratic governance, and some African presidents are in cahoots with external forces when it concerns the looting of resources, hence the presidential desire for continuous rule. The end result of such political and geopolitical practices is that Africa will scuffle with employment, security, industrialization, and development, issues that the majority rule wants to address through favorable elections with effective leaders that will answer to their people’s needs instead of cutting them out of the economy and its benefits.