New Cold War Brewing, Africa Must Be Cautious – Gambari

Ibrahim Gambari, former UN Undersecretary General, has raised concerns about the emergence of a new Cold War that could divide African nations along geopolitical lines. Speaking at the Realnews Conference in Lagos, Gambari, who is also a former Nigerian foreign affairs minister, highlighted Africa’s vulnerable position in a rapidly changing global order. His remarks were shared with Premium Times.

In his address, titled “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Demography, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources,” Gambari urged Africans to reflect on the ongoing global changes and recognize their implications for the continent’s immediate and long-term future. He noted the transformative events in international systems, with nations scrambling to secure their positions to avoid being sidelined or exploited by the shifting global dynamics.

A key focus of Gambari’s speech was the growing militarization by global powers, with investments in advanced weaponry, space, and cyberspace. He described this as a “relentless militarization” that spans land, air, seas, and outer space, emphasizing that Africa, due to its strategic location and natural resources, has become a significant player in this global power struggle.

Gambari pointed out that foreign military bases are proliferating across the continent, marking a modern echo of colonial ambitions. He cited Djibouti, which hosts both the United States’ only permanent base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier, and China’s first overseas military installation, as an example of Africa’s role in the new Cold War. According to Gambari, military bases in Africa serve not only security interests but also facilitate the control of the continent’s valuable natural resources and arable land.

As competition intensifies, Africa finds itself at the center of this geopolitical struggle, with nations such as France, Germany, India, and the UK increasing their military presence, while China and Russia also seek to strengthen their influence. Beijing has used infrastructure investments and debt relief to secure political alliances, while Moscow has provided weapons and military support to various African regimes.

Gambari emphasized that while Africa faces significant challenges, it also holds a critical demographic advantage, with a large and youthful population. He noted that the potential of this young demographic remains largely untapped due to economic struggles. Gambari argued that Africa’s young people, with their energy and innovation, could help the continent play a pivotal role in shaping the new world order if harnessed effectively.

He stressed that Africa must actively build national and regional strategies to leverage its human resources and natural wealth, ensuring that it is not left behind as the world order evolves. He also highlighted the importance of turning Africa’s demographic dividend into a digital economy advantage, positioning the continent at the forefront of technological innovation and development.

Gambari concluded by urging African leaders to ensure that the continent’s values and aspirations are reflected in the new global order. He called for Africa to be a joint rule maker in the creation of a fairer, more inclusive world.