The conduct foreign policy behavior of African states has been affected by the continent’s post-colonial consciousness, perceptions, identities, and other existential facts. African states have largely been regarded as spectators and not actors in the international system. Yet, diplomacy has its ancient roots on the continent. The traditional diplomatic practices of Africans were obscured by colonialism and subjugation of the continent. The practice of training African diplomats in foreign institutions perpetuates colonial tutelage. However, African agency and Afropolitanism challenge the marginalization of Africans in the international system. Inspired by these progressive notions, this chapter advances a concept of Afrodiplomacy, which is the collaborative effort and collective voice of Africa to become assertive as an actor in global engagement for the benefit of the continent. The acme of Afrodiplomats hinges on the trajectory of African agency and their collective voice on matters of mutual interest for the benefit of the continent and its people. An economically independent, well-governed, and more stable Africa will have the diplomatic clout to push for a much greater role in the international system.
Read more: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-28214-0_3
