Geopolitical strategists, geostrategic planners and forecasting analysts who had the foresight and courage to predict that the world would enter a period of severe turbulence following the dissolution of the Eastern Bloc can now see that events are proving them right. Even without collapsing or being in agony, the world today is suffering greatly as it searches for its bearings.

While established States in Africa are threatened with institutional disintegration and territorial fragmentation by a plethora of armed movements with totalitarian obscurantist ideologies and terrorist modus operandi, the situation is no better elsewhere. There, we are witnessing much larger-scale confrontations between competitors driven by the demons of monopolistic hegemony.

This could have been swiftly resolved, given the proven strange collusion between fanatical obscurantists and power-hungry hegemonists, with the former often acting on behalf of the latter. However, between these two groups, we find the invincible resistance of peoples who were once under foreign rule. These peoples are now irrevocably driven by an irresistible desire for sovereignty and swear by multipolarity alone.

Consequently, the world is in a state of chaos: aggressive monopolarity, combative bipolarity, tentative multipolarity, and at times, complete apolarity. Meanwhile, international regulatory bodies have been reduced to near non-existence.

The peoples of Africa are spearheading the fight for a new, more egalitarian world order, as our continent now occupies a central position on the global geopolitical chessboard. While Africa has been elevated to the status of a global issue, it would be a mistake to consider this a privileged position. In the field of geostrategy, however, victory can only be achieved through brutal means, with the victor imposing their will on everyone.

Nevertheless, Africa, with all its potential, no longer wishes to be a mere source of raw materials to satisfy foreign demands. It now aspires to utilise its resources to the fullest by controlling value chains and defining the terms of trade with its partners. In this quest for sovereignty, willpower certainly does not lack.

As expected, however, Africa’s aspirations are systematically undermined, often by well-meaning friends. Proof of this can be found in the support and assistance provided in the fight against terrorism, which is proving both resilient and proliferating. This includes several other rather debilitating acts of benevolence.

Every developed nation has overcome countless difficulties of various origins. The most destructive of these are not the onslaught of adversity, intellectual shortcomings or structural deficiencies, but rather the oikophobia of its own people. This hatred of the fatherland is fuelled by suffering, doubt, and the allure of instant gratification and easy gain. The most obvious manifestation of this shadow war is the trafficking of intellectuals trained in our schools the same schools that are criticised for being of poor quality.

At this stage, each of us should mobilise an intangible yet vital element that we all carry within. This is the spirit of patriotism. In the face of smear campaigns, attempts to discredit us, massive sanctions, armed aggression and the corruption of consciences, only patriotism will enable us to withstand the shock.

The current geopolitical and geostrategic uncertainty provides an opportunity for our continent to finally address the long-standing disparities that have hindered its assertiveness on the international stage. Therefore, our vibrant youth must love their motherland with all their heart, bearing in mind that no country has ever been developed by foreigners.

Let us love our Fatherland,

Let us be patriotic citizens,

Let us remain ever vigilant.