Over 37 African leaders recently gathered in the French southern city of Nice for the 25th edition of the France - Africa summit. The summit sought among other things to consolidate and reinforce the political, economic and military relations between France and Africa.

France makes it no secret that she wants to advance her interests. Such interests include continued access to the continent’s resources and curbing the threat of Africans’ migration to Europe. Does Africa have a common continental interest? Engaging with developed nations who know what they want while you don’t know what you want will not bear fruit to Africa. It is time Africa consulted and developed a long term continental agenda before engaging in any negotiations with developed nations on matters that will impact over 1 billion people.

Already there is talk of Europe’s scuttling of the African unity process through advancing the ´Mediterranean Union,’ an association that encompasses all nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea including the five North African countries.

Blessed with abundant resources, Africa must be confident, negotiate from a position of strength and avoid being entangled into well crafted diversionary issues such as the gay debate, MDGs, and the Aid and Debt Relief debate among others.