Dependency, Instability and Shifting Global Power: Influences and Interests in African Foreign Policy in the 21st Century

This research paper examines the evolving role of African nations in international affairs following the Cold War, noting a shift from being passive objects of foreign policy to gaining relevance through multilateralism and consensus-based decision-making, despite continued financial dependency.

• Following the Cold War and the 'uni-polar moment', there has been a renewed focus on multilateral institutions to limit unilateral state actions. While the United States and Europe remain highly influential, they are now constrained in power and normative terms and can no longer act unilaterally.
• African states have gained new relevance in international affairs because they represent 25% of the world's nations and their votes are significant in a more consensus-oriented global environment. However, they remain financially dependent and generally lack the power to lead independent foreign policy initiatives.
• Africa is highly relevant to a wide array of global concerns, including climate change, energy security, minerals, disease, development, money laundering, financial regulation, illegal immigration, drug smuggling, terrorism, conflict prevention, and wildlife conservation.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2011). Dependency, Instability and Shifting Global Power: Influences and Interests in African Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. https://saiia.org.za/research/dependency-instability-and-shifting-global-power-influences-and-interests-in-african-foreign-policy-in-the-21st-century/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Dependency, Instability and Shifting Global Power: Influences and Interests in African Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/dependency-instability-and-shifting-global-power-influences-and-interests-in-african-foreign-policy-in-the-21st-century/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Dependency, Instability and Shifting Global Power: Influences and Interests in African Foreign Policy in the 21st Century |date=9 October 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/dependency-instability-and-shifting-global-power-influences-and-interests-in-african-foreign-policy-in-the-21st-century/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2011dependency, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Dependency, Instability and Shifting Global Power: Influences and Interests in African Foreign Policy in the 21st Century}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/dependency-instability-and-shifting-global-power-influences-and-interests-in-african-foreign-policy-in-the-21st-century/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }