Oh! There was
plenty of debate in New York this week.
The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA
72), at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday had several interesting part as leaders
read speeches prepared for them and in some cases by themselves.
Of course, sidelines and hallways provided lobbyists and
nonprofit leaders the opportunity to ambush many of them. They either want more
promise or fulfillment of the ones they made over the years. That’s the norm at
almost every global conference, where government leaders speak from their heads
and not from their hearts.
But we must not forget why they came to New York this
week. It was for global peace and decent life for everyone. The theme,
‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a
Sustainable Planet’, expressly captured it.
Really, people have different opinions about what leaders
say or did not say. I’m concerned that inclusive global village is under threat
and can spell doom, even for the United Nations as a force of unity. But I love
the three words repeated multiple times by America’s President Donald Trump.
“Strong, sovereign nation,” are the three words Trump
used to challenge his colleagues from around the world. How we interpret the
words of Trump will depend on our leanings.
I see it as a strong motivation for African leaders to
work hard, shirk corruption, build stable democracy, and economy for their
citizens. I can only hope we’re seeing from the same side of the lens.
Of course, there’s a dangerous path for the United
States, if it leaves its leadership position in the UN by reducing
contributions and doing little to strengthen the global community.
To be sure, China is on the heels of the U.S and it is
one country that has shown strong interest in helping low and middle-income
countries of the world. Since it sets its sight on Africa, China has made
tremendous business deals and has become a beautiful bride in infrastructure
development in Africa, in particular. China could as well take over the UN with
its super influence on global economy.
Interestingly, in another sign of other countries with
influence seeking to take advantage of the U.S no brother’s keeper policy to
promote their own agenda, Israel offered hope to African leaders during the
general assembly.
In New York, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin
Netanyahu, met with leaders and representatives of African countries on the
sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss technology and
education. Netanyahu has seen a blank and he wants to fill it for his own
benefit. In the long-age Israeli-Palestinian crisis, overtures that create
support for what Israel wants have become necessary tonic.
A readout from Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the
meeting was part of Israel’s increasing efforts to renew and rejuvenate ties
with African states.
The Times of Israel quoted readout from Netanyahu’s
office stating that the Israeli prime minister “told his interlocutors that he
believes that Israel could be an amazing partner for their countries. He said
that technology changes everything, including in communications, medicine,
agriculture and education. He noted that Israel wants to share its technology
with African countries.”
And to match his words with action Netanyahu didn’t allow
a gap in the dialogue, he simply pushed the start button by attending an
exhibition together with his new-found friends, where Israeli tech firms
presented their products to African leaders attending the general assembly.
To put his country brand on it, the exhibition was titled
“Israeli Technology and Innovation for Africa.”
So with a no brothers’ keeper choir out there the place
of the influence of the United States around the world will shrink. My biggest
concern is how this will impact democratic rule as despots in many countries
will chant “mind your business” anthem back to the United States anytime the US
seeks to intervene in another country’s deplorable situation as it has done
previously to engender peace and prosperity.
In a sense, the citizens of such countries under bad
leaders will continue to suffer without help.
Reasonably, many other things will be impacted. The
global institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World
Trade Organization, and more will suffer the effect.
Notably, the global flow of trade that has more than
doubled since 1990, because of open economies that has lowered the cost of
goods and services will be a victim.
It is a fact that more countries are relying on
export-led growth and that has helped turned the tide for citizens. The
purchases from developed economies have equally increased influence of
countries like the United States around the world just as it has strengthened
global partnership.
But in ‘America First’, in those three words of President
Trump, there’s a message for Africa, a continent where inequality and social
upheaval raise questions about the future of children born on the continent.
All of you must be out for your country first, was a simple paraphrase I can
make from Trump’s speech.
For what I interpreted it to mean, Trump is right. My
preoccupation here is the African leaders who have failed over the years to
build a strong and virile continent, making each country strong, stable and
sovereign. They should take the words of Trump to the heart, and make lives
better for their citizens. Nothing can be more truthful!
Follow me on Twitter: @adeolaakinremi1
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