UNDERSTANDING AFRICA GLOBAL MARGINALIZATION FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

This paper examines Africa engagement with global community from a historical perspective, demonstrating attempt by various states and the continent to gain a foothold in international arena. The paper seeks to address the question whether Africa has the political clout to change the dynamics of engagement in international institutions and whether that clout is sufficient in terms of influence and political outcome. The paper argues that for Africa to become relevant actor in global affairs it must strategically use it's numbers and share history of global marginalization to overcome the challenges of lack of economic and military power which made them enter into agreement with high and mid -level power as well as multinational corporation that undermined their capacity to influence global affairs. The paper concludes that Africa's global relevance can only be achieved through push for reform of global governance institutions and integrating their approach of relation with external factors.