This is what Africa must do to avoid exploitation – Raila

African Union Commission chairperson hopeful Raila Odinga has opened up about what he believes continental leaders must do to earn respect and avoid marginalization.

Speaking during a public lecture at Oxford University, London, on Friday Raila said African leaders must unite to remain on a positive trajectory of growth and progress.

“If Africa continues to be disunited in a fast-changing world, it will continue to be marginalized, exploited and irrelevant," Raila warned.

Raila delivered the keynote address at Rhodes House in the UK on the topic ‘forging Africa’s future; a journey of resilience and renewal’.

He regretted that while Continental integration was the dream of its founding fathers, the same has remained elusive because of disunity.

“We must return it (integration) to the top of our priorities," Raila said in his pitch for a prosperous and optimistic continent.

Talking about how Africa can integrate, Raila stressed the need to grow continental trade, open skies, and open visa policies and infrastructure.

“We must treat the minds of our young people as our fundamental resource. Our challenge as leaders is to ensure that the quality of education you get here in Oxford is available in Africa. Then we must make the ever-changing technology, including that of Artificial Intelligence, available to our people," Raila said.

The Azimio leader also said that the continent must strengthen cooperation with the global community on global issues including trade, security and climate change.

“I can report here that there is visible progress in these vital areas," the Azimio boss said even as he warned that things might go wrong again if democracy is undermined.

He said countries in Africa, especially those heading to general elections, must work extra hard to entrench democracy on the Continent.

“We have 19 countries slated for presidential or general elections this year. How these elections go will have a huge bearing on how we proceed as a continent," Raila said.

At the same time, Raila warned countries to watch against the return of conflicts and coups.

“We have had a civil war in Ethiopia, the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, coups and jihadist uprisings in the Sahel and conflicts in the Sudan and DR Congo," he said.

He said Africa could, but must not be caught again in proxy wars between foreign powers as happened during the Cold War.

“Leaders must pay greater attention to the issues of poverty and sharing of opportunities which are at the heart of the conflicts in Africa," he said.

Raila said that while nations need to engage with the world, Africa must find ways to navigate old and new geopolitical interests that often put it at a great disadvantage.

“We are witnessing a new scramble for Africa. China, Turkey, India and the Gulf nations are increasingly asserting their influence around the continent. Russia is making a return. The US and Europe remain active," Raila noted.

At the same time, Raila called on leaders to address the challenges of Climate Change that have serious environmental, economic and security implications.

He said that Africa must adequately prepare for the disruption of livelihoods, including food production, new diseases consequent social upheavals and civil strife. 

“These are things we all know are going to happen and we cannot just sit and wait for them to devastate us.  We need to learn to prepare instead of merely preparing to respond. We must do this collectively as a continent to deal with critical issues that affect more than one country," Raila said.

Overall, Raila said, he remains confident that the transformation of Africa is underway and will continue.