Accra: Dr. Victor Doke, a Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has warned that the global multilateral system is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from dialogue-driven engagement to transactional diplomacy.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Doke highlighted that this evolving trend, largely influenced by major global powers, poses serious implications for Africa's role in global governance, peace, and security. "Multilateralism, as we know it, was largely based on dialogue and cooperation, but what we are seeing now is a shift towards transactional engagements," he explained during a high-level virtual panel discussion on the emerging global order organized by the Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA). The theme of the event was 'The Rupturing of The Rules-Based Multilateralism System.'
Dr. Doke emphasized that powerful nations increasingly prioritize national interests over collective global stability, often attaching conditions to diplomatic or military interventions. "If a powerful country intervenes today, the question is: what is in it for them? That is the reality of the current system," he said, noting that this shift is weakening rule-based multilateralism, where global institutions are expected to operate on fairness and inclusivity.
He further explained that the existing system has historically favored dominant economies, adding that "there were rules, but these rules often worked to the advantage of powerful nations who control vast economic resources." Addressing Africa's position, Dr. Doke stated the continent remains a key player in global affairs due to its economic potential and strategic importance. However, he warned that internal challenges such as corruption, insecurity, and weak governance structures could undermine Africa's position in demanding accountability and support from the international community.
Professor Felix Kumah-Abiwu of Kent State University, USA, also contributed to the discussion, identifying clear signs of a weakening global order that has sustained relative stability for decades. He observed that the rule-based multilateral system is "fading away," as powerful nations increasingly fail to adhere to the same rules expected of smaller states. "There seems to be a rupturing or weakening of the old world order that we have long understood," he said, raising critical questions about Africa's agency in shaping global trade, diplomacy, and security.
Prof Kumah-Abiwu stressed that while Africa has historically contributed to global development, it has often been marginalized in international decision-making processes. He noted that the current shift could present an opportunity for the continent to assert itself more strongly on the global stage.
Dr. Litlhare Rabele of the University of Pretoria, South Africa, expressed concern that global powers are increasingly using military and economic influence to secure national interests, often at the expense of human rights and collective peace. She called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, describing it as outdated and ineffective in addressing contemporary global challenges. "We cannot continue with a system where those who are key actors in conflicts also hold veto power," she said, urging the African Union to strengthen its role in resolving conflicts on the continent and emphasizing the need for "African solutions to African problems."
Professor Munyaradzi Nyakudya of the University of Zimbabwe noted that while the changing global order poses challenges in trade, governance, and diplomacy, it could also create opportunities for Africa to leverage its vast resources and act with a unified voice. "Africa has an opportunity now to speak and act together and make use of its abundant resources for the benefit of its people," he added.