Africa & Global Power

T he term “Global South” has become one of the most used and least examined phrases in contemporary international relations. It appears in AU summit communiqués, UN General Assembly speeches, academic journals, and newspaper editorials with a frequency that suggests consensus on its meaning. That consensus is largely illusory. The Global South is not a defined institution, a formal alliance, a shared ideology, or a coherent economic bloc. It is a political shorthand for a diverse collection of countries that share a historical experience of colonialism and marginalisation in the Western-designed international order, and that are increasingly asserting the right to shape that order’s next iteration on terms more favourable to their own interests. For Africa, the Global South framing matters because it provides the continent with a discursive and sometimes institutional home for its demands: for debt restructuring, for climate finance, for permanent UN Security Council representation, ...

Introduction   The geopolitical reconfiguration of West Africa has accelerated since 2023, marked by declining French influence and the growing assertiveness of non-Western powers. As examined in Who Is Replacing France in West Africa? Global Powers Reshaping 2026 , the strategic vacuum left by France has been filled by actors such as Russia, China, and Turkey. This shift reflects a broader transformation toward a multipolar international order.¹  Within this evolving system, Nigeria occupies a uniquely pivotal position. As Africa’s most populous state and one of its largest economies, Nigeria’s strategic choices in 2026 will shape regional stability, continental diplomacy, and its own domestic political economy. Get Simple Breakdowns of African Geopolitics Join the free weekly brief from Africa & Global Power. No noise. No propaganda. Just clear an...

Abstract             The contemporary international system is undergoing a period of profound transformation marked by political instability, intensified geopolitical rivalry, and renewed debates over sovereignty and human rights. Recent global incidents—including armed conflict, disputed elections, protest movements, and economic competition—illustrate the erosion of post–Cold War norms and the emergence of a more fragmented global order. This article examines selected case studies from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the global economic arena to analyze how domestic political crises increasingly generate international consequences. It argues that contemporary international affairs are defined by the interaction of internal state dynamics and external pressures, reshaping global governance and diplomatic practice. Keywords: International affairs, global order, human rights, geopolitics, sovereignty, diplomacy ...