Across the world today, the idea of a rules-based international order is under serious strain.
Powerful countries increasingly ignore or stretch international law when it conflicts with their political, military or economic interests, especially where control and natural resources are involved.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been widely condemned as a clear violation of international law and national sovereignty. China’s continued military pressure on Taiwan, including repeated threats to use force, has also raised global concern about the growing use of power rather than dialogue to resolve disputes.
On January 3, 2026, BBC News and Reuters reported that the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Following the operation, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily “run the country” and oversee a political transition, while also referring to Venezuela’s oil resources.
The reports noted that the action was taken without United Nations approval and has been questioned by legal experts as a violation of international law and the principle of non-interference.
These developments point to a troubling reality: global power is increasingly exercised through force rather than law. For regions like Africa, rich in natural resources but often divided in voice, this trend carries serious risks. In such a world, African unity is no longer optional; it is essential for protecting sovereignty, resources and long-term interests.
As the new year has begun Africa faces hard questions and historic choices at a time when trust among major powers is weakening, alliances are shifting, and competition for influence and resources is intensifying. These tensions affect Africa directly through rising prices, insecurity, debt pressure and unfair trade rules. Africa’s safety and progress can no longer depend on individual countries acting alone.
The call for African unity is not new. At the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa on May 25, 1963, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, warned that Africa must unite or perish.
Emperor Haile Selassie I also urged African leaders to rise above their differences and commit to a shared destiny. Their words laid the foundation for continental cooperation.
Other voices strengthened this message. Patrice Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo spoke passionately about African solidarity and resistance to foreign domination. In more recent times, Kenyan Pan-Africanist P.L.O. Lumumba has continued to ask whether Africa has a united plan in a world that already has plans for the continent.
Today’s leaders echo these ideas. Former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo told the United Nations in 2024 that Africa’s voice is strongest when it speaks together. President John Dramani Mahama has also stressed that Africa’s development and independence depend on cooperation and a strong commitment to the ideals of the African Union. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed similar views, calling for solidarity and stronger continental institutions.
Beyond politics, African unity is already visible in everyday life. Culture, especially music and the arts, has become a powerful bridge across borders. Creatives from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa collaborate freely, blending Afrobeats, highlife, hip-hop and amapiano, and projecting a confident African identity to the world.
Economic integration is also advancing. Roads, railways and ports are increasingly linking countries and markets, easing trade and lowering costs. While challenges remain, these developments show that integration is becoming a lived reality for ordinary Africans.
Africa’s unity is also extending beyond the continent. Ghana’s Year of Return in 2019 and ongoing diaspora programmes have strengthened ties with people of African descent in the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. These efforts attract investment, share skills and help heal historical wounds, strengthening the global African family.
At the same time, Africa must be honest with itself. Some countries have drifted away from continental structures or focused more on smaller blocs. While regional cooperation has value, this is not a moment for fragmentation. In a world shaped by rivalry among powerful nations, a divided Africa risks being weakened and ignored. Aligning regional efforts under the African Union will strengthen Africa’s bargaining power and ensure shared development.
Unity is more urgent than ever because global military and economic tensions affect Africa directly, from food and fuel prices to security concerns. When African countries stand together, they are better able to protect their interests, negotiate fairer deals and avoid being drawn into conflicts that do not serve their people.
Africa’s journey toward unity is long, but it is moving forward. From the vision of Nkrumah and Haile Selassie to the actions of today’s leaders, from cultural collaboration to shared infrastructure and diaspora engagement, the foundations are in place. The task now is to build on these gains. In a divided and uncertain world, a united Africa is not only desirable; it is essential for the dignity, prosperity and future of its people.
