Africa & Global Power

  W hen the rules only apply to some, calling it an ‘order’ becomes an act of political theatre. The phrase “rules-based international order” is among the most repeated in the vocabulary of Western diplomacy. It appears in summit communiqués, foreign ministry speeches, and think-tank reports with the regularity of a liturgical refrain. It is invoked to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine, to justify sanctions against authoritarian governments, and to defend the architecture of post-World War II multilateral institutions. From the vantage point of the Global South — and particularly from Africa — the phrase lands differently. Not as a description of how the world actually works, but as a description of how its architects wish others to believe it works. The gap between those two things is widening. And the diplomatic consequences of that gap are reshaping the international system. What the ‘Order’ Actually Is The rules-based international order (RIO) refers broadly to ...

  1. Introduction: The Geopolitical Context of Nuclear Arsenals and African Security             The interplay between nuclear arsenals and African security is a complex and multifaceted issue, situated within the broader framework of global geopolitics. Nuclear weapons, as instruments of strategic power, have profoundly shaped international relations since their inception in the mid-20th century. For Africa, a continent with no nuclear-armed states but significant geopolitical relevance, the presence and proliferation of nuclear arsenals globally have direct and indirect implications for its security, stability, and development. This article explores the geopolitical dynamics of nuclear arsenals, their historical and contemporary relevance to African security, and the continent’s position within the global nuclear order, emphasizing key concepts such as deterrence, proliferation, disarmament, and regional stability. ·...