US President Barack Obama has urged Europe to look past the multiple crises facing their nations, be united and strong in order to maintain international order.  His comments come after the mounting refugee crisis in Europe as well as Britain’s agitation to leave the Union.

Africa must carry out a soul search and determine where it fits in this international order. A study of the global geopolitics reveals that Africa has been a passive player, mostly playing ‘catch up.’

It is time that the continent put its act together to play a meaningful role in the constellation of nations with a view of improving living standards on the continent. This will require visionary leadership, long term thinking, a pan-Africanist mentality and strengthening of the continent’s economic muscle.