Can African Union Advance the Continent Sans Confronting Neocolonialism?

The African Union (AU) leadership debate on December 13 spotlighted three candidates on their visions for the continent’s future. Muhammadu Ali Yusouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti; Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya; and Richard James Randri, former Foreign Minister of Madagascar, took the stage to present their strategies addressing economic transformation, peace and security, and institutional reform as they campaign for the February 2025 AU elections.

Yet, beyond the rhetoric espoused in the debate, deeper questions remain: Is the AU equipped to lead Africa into the much-hyped “Africa Prospects, rising, next giant” narrative? Can it meaningfully confront the structural inequalities perpetuated by global systems of power, or will it remain mired in the pitfalls of neoliberalism, neocolonialism, and deepening inequality?

In his opening remarks, Muhammadu Ali Yusouf captured the duality of Africa’s current position. Describing a continent that, while lagging in peace, integration, and socioeconomic development, is steadily organizing itself to claim its place on the global stage. With a focus on strengthening the AU’s Peace and Security Council, mobilizing resources and increasing intra-African trade, Yusouf framed his candidacy as one centered on pragmatic reforms. “The Africa we want,” he declared, “is an Africa of peace, integration, and prosperity,” underpinned by solidarity and political will.

Raila Odinga presented his deeply personal and historical lens. Reflecting on the legacy of the AU’s founding fathers, Odinga reiterated the importance of unity in achieving the dreams of Agenda 2063. “Africa is now completely liberated,” he says, “but there’s still work to do.” His emphasis on infrastructure, inter-African trade, education, and the empowerment of youth and women, is part of what he sees as practical solutions while championing the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

Meanwhile, Richard Randri drew from his experience as a finance expert and former minister, acknowledging the dynamism of African states but criticizing the AU’s inability to match this energy. “Africa is moving,” he said, “but the AU must move faster.” Also stressing the importance of institutional capacity and local development in translating regional aspirations into tangible progress.

The paradox of Africa’s abundant natural resources alongside persistent poverty was an important question of the debate. Raila Odinga pointed out the need to end Africa’s role as a perpetual supplier of raw materials to industrialized economies. “Africa must stop being a perpetual source of raw materials for the industrialized world,” he argued, calling for reforms to international financial structures that have historically disadvantaged the continent.

Yusouf pointed to agriculture and education as key levers to empower Africa’s youth and unlock the continent’s potential. “Our wealth begins with our people,” he asserted, emphasizing the need to value human resources alongside natural ones. Richard Randri, meanwhile, advocated for starting small, focusing on local economic development and dismantling trade barriers like non-tariff restrictions that hinder intra-African commerce.

Glaring gaps

While the candidates proposed solutions and discussed trade, value addition, and the economy, they overlooked a critical issue of the historical and ongoing impact of neoliberal policies promoted by institutions like the IMF and World Bank. These policies, often framed as developmental initiatives, have deepened structural inequalities and left many African economies reliant on foreign capital and markets.

Despite the AU’s ambitious goal to silence the guns by 2030, conflicts persist across the continent. With the three candidates acknowledging the complexity of Africa’s security challenges but offered differing approaches to addressing them.

Yusouf called for a more proactive Peace and Security Council and better resource mobilization to ensure AU-led peacekeeping missions are effective. However, his remarks did not address the destabilizing impact of foreign military bases and external interference, which compromises the sovereignty of African countries.

Odinga’s view emphasized dialogue and inclusivity to address root causes such as poverty, exclusion, and governance failures. “It is possible to silence the guns,” he asserted, proposing a revised target of 2035 to achieve this goal. Richard Randri stressed the importance of balancing non-interference with decisive action, advocating for stronger AU-UN collaboration in conflict resolution.

There was the question on the decline of the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Raila Odinga reiterated the importance of unity to harness Africa’s youthful population as an asset. Also proposed leveraging digital technology and artificial intelligence to create opportunities for Africa’s youth, ensuring they contribute to the continent’s growth instead of seeking greener pastures abroad.

Richard Randri emphasized the role of regional economic communities in driving integration but failed to address the broader geopolitical dynamics at play also. And for Yusouf reducing Africa’s reliance on external actors through strengthened intra-African trade and resource self-reliance would be the solution.

Yet even in this context of Pan Africanism, the candidates largely avoided confronting the deeper realities of neocolonialism. Africa’s engagement with global powers. Resource extraction and debt-driven development that have perpetuated dependency that hamper continental development. True Pan-Africanism will require a bold break from these dynamics—a challenge that none of the candidates fully articulated.

All three candidates agreed on the need for comprehensive reforms within the AU. Odinga reflected on his time with the Kagame-led reform committee, calling for innovative funding solutions, such as leveraging Africa’s sovereign wealth funds to finance key projects. Richard Randri argued for a phased approach to reforms, prioritizing institutional stability and resource mobilization. Yusouf stressed the need for tough decisions and honest leadership to overcome political resistance and inefficiencies within the AU’s structures.

Still, none of the candidates critically addressed the AU’s limitations in challenging neoliberal frameworks or its dependency on external donors for funding. The AU’s inability to act decisively on issues central to African interests reflects deeper structural challenges that demand not only internal reforms but also a fundamental redefinition of its role in the global order. Reforms cannot occur in isolation, as if the continent exists in a vacuum. The AU’s failure to read the mood in the Sahel region and its historical reluctance to support anti-imperialist movements, shows its alignment with—or, at best, passive acceptance of imperialist interests. Unfortunately, the debate failed to reflect the growing political shifts and sentiments emerging across the continent.

So, while the AU leadership debate was important for the continent to see the calibre of leaders that should take the mantle of leading Africa.  It also revealed significant gaps. While the candidates spoke of reforms and aspirations, their failure to confront the structural forces of neocolonialism, imperialism, and neoliberalism was evident. This requires bold leadership willing to prioritize sovereignty, self-reliance, and Pan-African solidarity over accommodation with exploitative global powers. The question remains, will the AU rise to the occasion, or will it continue to serve as a symbolic institution, disconnected from the realities and aspirations of the African people?

Nicholas Mwangi is a member of the Ukombozi Library in Kenya.