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Flashmag! Issue 161 June 2025
Russia’ s entry, under the guise of military collaboration and private security intervention in war zones such as the Sahel, is a complementary but security-conscious reaction that appeals to certain African states seeking to balance Western influence. This shift is enabling African states to regain greater autonomy in world politics, defy neo-colonial imposition and seek sovereign development trajectories in line with their history and socio-political experience( 1951). Yet the consequences of this geopolitics are multi-faceted. The growing power of Russia and China coincides with the retreat of democratic governance in Africa, which has raised concerns about authoritarianism and standards of governance( John J. Chin, 2024). Western policymakers are also tasked with recalibrating their Africa policy to make it relevant, balancing interests between democracy promotion and great power competition for influence( John J. Chin, 2024). For African countries, the trend towards diversification is also a declaration of dignity and a rejection of paternalistic models that have not proved effective in responding to colonial legacies and modern needs. Technological progress and economic independence are undoubtedly an essential element of human dignity, and can only help to dispel the traumas of centuries of enslavement. So those who insist that the black man will only receive the respect long due to him when Africa is economically and militarily sovereign and strong are not far from the truth.
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