Thuso Mosabala
The storm clouds of uncertainty gather on the horizon. The unpredictable winds of global politics, fueled by the “America First” doctrine, threaten to buffet the African continent. The Kingdom of Lesotho, small and nestled within the heart of the Republic of South Africa, finds itself increasingly vulnerable to the growing hostility emanating from Washington, a hostility that has manifested in potential tariffs and dwindling aid.
Today as the children of African soil, we therefore must ask ourselves, can the spirit of Pan Africanism, which we consider the very bedrock of our liberation, offer a shield against this encroaching tempest? The current United States (US) President, Donald Trump has his presidency charecterised by unpredictable foreign policy, including hostile rhetoric, tariff impositions, and aid cuts targeted at several nations.
Lesotho in particular, a country already geographically compromised as is entirely surrounded by South Africa, finds itself particularly vulnerable. This growing hostility exposes a deeper, historical vulnerability; Africa’s systemic dependency on external powers. For a longtime, the US has wielded considerable influence in Lesotho through various assistance programs including The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), administered by USAID, ‘which has been instrumental in combating the HIV/AIDS, which has ravaged Lesotho for generations.
Similarly, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compacts have funded infrastructure projects aimed at stimulating economic growth while AGOA, a trade preference program, has provided duty free access to the US market for eligible products, primarily garments, driving significant employment in Lesotho’s textile industry.
However, this seemingly benevolent relationship has fostered a degree of dependency. While US aid undoubtedly addressed critical needs, it also created a situation where Lesotho’s political and economic trajectory became intertwined with US priorities. The focus on specific sectors, dictated by donor agendas, often overshadowed the development of a diversified and resilient local economy. This reliance on external funding also hindered the development of indigenous solutions to Lesotho’s challenges.
Pan-Africanism: More than just a dream
Pan-Africanism, as envisioned by giants like Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, and Julius Nyerere, is more than just a romantic notion of continental unity. In my view, it is a potent strategy for self-reliance, collective security, and economic emancipation. For starters, it is a political and social philosophy rooted in the struggles against colonialism and racial oppression, advocating for the unity, solidarity, and collective advancement of African nations and peoples.
Pan-Africanism emphasizes self-reliance, collective bargaining, and an Africa-centered worldview, rejecting dependency on imperial or neocolonial powers. Nkrumah, in his unwavering commitment to a United Africa, famously declared, “Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” This sentiment resonates with profound urgency today.
How Pan-Africanism can counter Trump’s hostility
Pan-Africanism recognizes that the challenges facing individual African nations are often rooted in systemic issues stemming from historical exploitation and continued neo-colonial dependence. It calls for a unified front, where the strength of one nation reinforces the others, fostering resilience against external pressures. The practical application of Pan-Africanism in the face of Trump’s growing hostility towards Lesotho and other African nations requires a multi-pronged approach, perhaps in the following manner:
- Economic diversification and intra-African trade: the current threat of tariffs imposed by the US necessitates a conscious shift away from reliance on American markets. It is therefore necessary that Africa must prioritize intra-African trade, fostering regional value chains and reducing dependence on external powers. A good start has been the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as it provides a critical framework for this, but its success hinges on political will and the dismantling of existing trade barriers within the continent. Strengthening intra-African trade would allow countries like Lesotho to find alternative markets for their goods, avoiding the trap of dependency on unpredictable foreign partners.
- Collective bargaining power: Without doubt, individually, African nations are often at the clemency of powerful global actors. However, a united front allows for a collective bargaining and negotiation. A united African voice, speaking through the African Union, or at least Southern African Development Community, can exert significant pressure on international powers to respect the sovereignty and economic interests of the continent or the regional level.
- Mutual aid and solidarity: The vulnerability of Lesotho highlights the need for concrete acts of solidarity amongst African nations. Should Lesotho face economic hardship owing to US policies, other African countries should ponder stepping forward with financial assistance, trade agreements, and technical expertise. This demonstrates a tangible commitment to the principle of “an injury to one is an injury to all.”
- Investing in self-sufficiency: Decades of reliance on foreign aid have created a cycle of dependency that undermines African agency. Pan-Africanism demands a shift towards self-sufficiency through investment in education, infrastructure, and diversified economies. We must empower our own people to drive innovation and development, breaking free from the chains of external dependence.
Is it too late to unite?
It is my considered opinion that it is never too late to embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. The challenges facing the continent today demand urgent action. The threat of tariffs, the cuts in aid, and the general disregard for African interests emanating from Washington serve as a stark wake-up call. We must seize this moment to forge a more unified, resilient, and self-reliant Africa.
Finally, should other African nations come to Lesotho’s aid?
Indeed, today it is Lesotho and tomorrow, others. Trump’s treatment of Lesotho is a warning shot to all African states reliant on external aid and trade concessions. Assisting Lesotho would be both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity. The predicament that Lesotho finds herself in is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a broader pattern of global power dynamics that seek to exploit and marginalize African nations. If Lesotho falls prey to US pressure, other African countries may soon follow. We must recognize that our fates are intertwined, and that collective action is the only way to safeguard our future. As Kwame Nkrumah warned, “Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.”
