TrustAfrica Urges African Leaders to Boost Self-Reliance Amid Global Crises
The Director General of TrustAfrica, Dr. Abdullahi Janni, has issued a compelling call for African leaders to urgently strengthen intra-continental cooperation and enhance economic self-reliance. This appeal comes in direct response to escalating global crises and the alarming weakening of international governance systems that have long underpinned global stability.
Warning of Severe Consequences
Dr. Janni delivered this critical message during the 41st TrustAfrica Board Meeting held in Abuja. The event was organized in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD–West Africa) under the theme ‘Africa and the Escalation of Global Crises: Impacts and Responses.’ He emphasized that Africa faces severe economic and security consequences if it fails to act collectively in the face of growing global instability.
He described the current global order as increasingly fragile, noting that institutions established after World War II to guarantee justice and peace are rapidly losing their relevance. Specifically, he pointed to the declining effectiveness of the United Nations, stressing that its inability to decisively address ongoing conflicts has emboldened a dangerous shift towards power-driven international relations.
“What we are witnessing is a breakdown of global justice, where might now overrides established laws and norms. The silence by the international community in the face of aggression sets a troubling precedent for weaker regions, including Africa,” he stressed.
Economic and Security Impacts on Africa
Dr. Janni noted that although many of the conflicts driving global instability are not of Africa’s making, their economic consequences on the continent are severe. He cited rising costs of essential commodities, disruptions in supply chains, and worsening living conditions as direct impacts already being felt across African countries.
He further warned that Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals and natural resources could expose it to future external pressures or exploitation if global norms continue to erode without accountability. On the security front, Dr. Janni raised concerns over the resurgence of military takeovers in parts of West Africa, describing it as both a symptom of internal fragility and a reflection of weakening global democratic safeguards.
He questioned the role of defence institutions in safeguarding democracy, noting that recent developments in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger highlight the urgent need for stronger governance systems within the continent.
Leveraging AfCFTA for Economic Resilience
To mitigate the impact of global shocks, Dr. Janni urged African countries to fully leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by prioritizing trade in critical goods and services within the continent. “I call on the African Union to take decisive steps in coordinating resource distribution among member states, particularly in areas such as fuel, food, and other essential commodities. Africa must look inward. Africa must prioritize trading among itself; we have the resources. We must use them to shield our continent,” he added.
He further stressed that countries like Nigeria with abundant resources should prioritize supplying fellow African nations before exporting to external markets.
Perspectives from Other Experts
In his remarks, Senior Fellow at the CDD–West Africa, Jibril Ibrahim, described the moment as the “end of empire,” warning that although imperialism may be weakening, it remains highly destructive. He lamented what he described as the normalization of mass suffering, noting that violence is now being “carried out in full view of the world.”
“Imperialism is a paper tiger, but it has a huge capacity to do harm,” he said, citing the scale of global violence and loss of lives in recent conflicts. “We now know this paper tiger can be fought. But you need to strategize and develop effective approaches,” he added.
Pan-African activist Mungile Mkabel called for a return to grassroots organizing and stronger African institutions rooted in local realities, warning of a growing disconnect between African intellectuals and ordinary citizens. She stressed the need for intergenerational collaboration.
“We cannot lose the capacity to organize. Young people cannot be our future if we don’t allow them to lead. Power concedes nothing without demand,” she said, urging Africans to think beyond colonial frameworks and plan for future generations.
