ECOWAS president attributes colonial influence to Africa’s instability

The president of the Economic Community of West African States, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, on Saturday, blamed outside forces from former colonial powers for Africa’s political instability.

Dr. Chambas disclosed this during the 13th Zik Annual Lecture Series at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The annual Zik lecture held in remembrance of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The series provides a forum for lively debates with the goal of tackling issues facing Africa and the world at large.

It was facilitated by notable figures.

Chambas urged African countries to put unity in security and socioeconomic development as a top priority.

He emphasized that such cooperation may help stop the continent’s rising unrest and societal unrest.

Without unity, he said, Africa will continue to be susceptible to political unrest and outside intervention.

He went on to point out that such would prolong its underdevelopment.

Chambas stated that African adolescents had lost faith in leadership because of the continent’s many problems.

He said, “The great Zik of Africa, while alive, made it clear that without unity, Africa would be vulnerable to political instability and external intervention.

“The erosion of trust in African leadership is fuelling widespread agitations across the continent and has led to civil unrest.

“We must advocate for a collective security approach to guard against foreign influence.

“Today’s political instability remains the greatest challenge for Africa.

“If Zik were alive today, he would echo the sentiments of the agitated youths facing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, and insecurity.

“Africa must free itself from external interventions stemming from its colonial past so that stability can return. Once political stability is achieved, underdevelopment will become a thing of the past”, he added.

Dignitaries…

The governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah chaired the event.

Dr. Mbah emphasized that African leaders working together to develop bilateral ties will aid in tackling the continent’s problems.

Mbah called on African leaders to bring their nations together in order to lessen their excessive reliance on outside forces.

On behalf of Governor Charles Soludo, the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said that the state was imitating the governing philosophy of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Prof. Uche Azikiwe, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s wife, praised the event’s organizers.

She pointed out that such academic pursuits demonstrated her husband’s legacy was still alive.

She also demanded that the university compile all of the lectures that had previously been given in his honor.

The vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Benard Odoh, characterized the lecture series as an important endeavor that advances Africa’s socio-political and economic advancement.

The challenges…

In recent times, ECOWAS has been grappling with the challenges of military interventions, coups, and democratic backsliding in some of its member states.

The organization’s efforts to promote democracy and stability have been reportedly hindered by the lingering effects of colonialism.

This includes the exploitation of natural resources and the manipulation of economic systems.

Colonial legacy and economic exploitation

Experts assert that the CFA franc, used by 14 African countries, is a prime example of colonial influence.

The currency is pegged to the euro and managed by France.

It has been criticized for its exploitative nature.

Source revealed that the arrangement requires African countries to keep 50% of their financial reserves in the French Treasury.

This effectively deprives them of billions of dollars in deposits.

ECOWAS‘ response

ECOWAS has been working towards establishing a regional currency, the ECO, to break free from French influence.

However, the project has faced delays and controversy.

The organization’s efforts to promote economic integration and monetary sovereignty have been met with resistance from France and other external actors.

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