Cooperation between African countries and their leaders is growing. But you wouldn’t know it. You do not see it much in the news. That does not, of course, mean that it is not happening. It is. But it is too positive to carry and does not fit the skewed image of Africa deliberately created and transmitted as true, and unfortunately believed as correct even by Africans ourselves. Such is the erosion of self-belief that we think we are incapable of working together or getting answers for ourselves. And so, instead of cooperation or collaboration, differences are created and highlighted. Discord sown. Rifts imagined and magnified and spread as fact. And where cooperation cannot be denied or hidden, every effort will be made to discount it as a blip that won’t last or scuttled altogether. Often, those involved will be vilified and given all manner of unflattering names. You also do not see many African leaders turn to fellow leaders for support to resolve certain issues or get some things done. That, to some, would hurt individual and national pride. And when it happens, it is so much out of character, goes against the script and must not be talked about much. Instead, we are used to seeing them turn to outside the continent for help, often to erstwhile oppressors. Apparently, that can be tolerated. Somehow, distance dulls the pain of hurt pride. It will not remain that way if some of today’s Africans have any say in the matter. They have been busy subverting this stock view of Africa and replacing it with a more Afrocentric mindset. The subversion is not drastic. On occasion, though, there is defiance. But this has the danger of meeting strong resistance and not always being effective. Most times, it is gradual, often steadily chipping away at some of these practices and attitudes over a period of time. In some instances, it may take the form of appealing to the sense of justice or moral sense, or even the selfishness of those who stand in the way of closer cooperation. Another way is galvanising the means and interests of those most in need of closer cooperation, those with similar challenges and therefore seek common solutions. This often results from the realisation that at different times individuals and nations have different abilities or advantages that if harnessed can make a useful contribution. You must have heard or read the news of President Paul Kagame helping Zimbabwe secure US $800 million for the country’s rural electrification. This was a typical example of what happens regularly in families and communities across Africa, a case of: if doors will not open to you for whatever reason, seek the help of a neighbour who might get it done. This was not the first request by one leader to another. But it was different in a number of respects. In the past, this would have remained confidential. This time it was made public. Indeed, Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa seemed delighted in making the announcement to the nation. He was giving credit where it was due and not claiming it for himself. All this is perhaps a reflection of the growing confidence of our leaders that they can get things done between themselves. There is no fear of hurt pride or ego or any possible negative repercussions. And so it was gratifying to note that our leaders are prepared to plead each other’s cause. It is not the first time that Rwanda has come to the aid of African brothers. The recent security agreements with the governments of Mozambique and the Central African Republic to fight rebels and terrorists, restore stability and government’s authority come to mind. They did not go to powers outside the continent with more financial and military resources. By all accounts they have been successful and are now being pointed out as the model to adopt in similar situations. Some might also remember Rwanda’s role in trying to get the principle of universal jurisdiction applied equally and fairly, not selectively across the world. This regardless of whether the matter concerned the country or other African countries. But beyond pleading each other’s case, how about cooperating more across many sectors? That is where we started. It is increasingly happening. But for it to move faster, we need a few more subversives among the leaders. Much like the ones who led the anti-colonial or liberation struggles, but unlike some of them, not prepared to be co-opted, corrupted by power, bribed or intimidated into inaction. Perhaps the young Africans that regularly meet at the YouthConnekt summits will create the necessary networks, develop pan-African outlook, break barriers, carry subversion farther, and eventually complete it. Or the many young entrepreneurs with tech start-ups or in agriculture who have a greater stake in a more cooperating continent and Africa-wide markets will provide added impetus. This, of course, in addition to the more established businesses. Working together, feeling and looking out for one other, aspiring for the best have always been essential human concerns. It is good our leaders still exhibit this. The views expressed in this article are of the writer.
