Governance Challenges Persist Across Africa

Recent developments indicate a significant shift in France's influence in Africa, highlighted by Chad's termination of a defense cooperation agreement and Senegal's announcement of the withdrawal of French soldiers, as local leaders assert their sovereignty. This comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in France, where President Macron's government struggles to formulate an effective Africa policy due to a divided parliament. Concurrently, governance issues remain a critical challenge across the continent, with former Nigerian presidential candidate Prof Kingsley Moghalu emphasizing that the absence of competent governance is the root cause of Africa's socio-economic problems. Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, echoed these sentiments, linking poor governance and security challenges to stalled development in Africa, particularly in nations affected by recent coups and conflicts. Despite these challenges, Youssouf expressed optimism about Africa's growing global presence, citing the AU's aspirations for greater representation in international forums. The upcoming AU elections in February 2025 will be pivotal as candidates like Youssouf vie for leadership amid these pressing issues.