By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over what he described as a “new scramble for Africa,” warning that foreign powers are increasingly exploiting the continent under the guise of partnership.
Speaking at the third Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Diani, the elder statesman cautioned that Africa risks becoming a battleground for global power rivalry, echoing the tensions of the Cold War era.
Obasanjo criticized external actors for contributing to instability while presenting themselves as allies in peacebuilding. He pointed to China’s Belt and Road Initiative as a driver of rising debt dependency, and condemned the activities of Russia-linked Wagner Group and its successors, accusing them of deploying proxy forces in countries such as Mali, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan without promoting governance reforms.
“The hypocrisy is breathtaking,” Obasanjo told intelligence and security chiefs from across the continent. “Such partners are not building Africa’s future. They are extracting Africa’s present.”
The former leader, who governed Nigeria between 1976–1979 and 1999–2007, also decried what he termed a growing “coup epidemic” across the Sahel region. Since 2020, military takeovers have occurred in Mali (twice), Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso (twice), Niger, and Gabon.
Drawing from his own experience as a former military ruler who handed over power to civilian governments, Obasanjo stressed that military regimes have historically failed to deliver sustainable development or long-term security in Africa.
“I repeat what history has taught me without ambiguity: military governments have never delivered sustained development or genuine security in Africa,” he said. “The handover of power is not a weakness. It is the highest expression of a soldier’s patriotism.”
He further urged African intelligence leaders to expose the funding and arming of proxy forces by foreign interests, describing such activities as a major barrier to lasting peace on the continent.
The Mashariki Cooperation Conference, now in its third edition, convenes intelligence and security agencies from across Africa to deliberate on evolving geopolitical dynamics and strengthen the continent’s security framework.
This year’s conference focused on assessing Africa’s security architecture, evaluating preparedness in the face of shifting global realities, and exploring the role of emerging technologies in governance and security. Discussions also covered counterterrorism strategies, climate change impacts, and Africa’s response to global competition for natural resources.
Organisers noted that the conference provides a vital platform for amplifying African perspectives in global security discussions, while fostering deeper regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent.
