AMECEA: The Unseen Power: A Commentary by Antony Mbandi; Coordinator for AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department
Power struggle in Africa has on many occasions been attributed to dictatorships and resources. The resources, which have been deemed as our curse, are natural resources found mainly within our soils. They include, precious metal and stones, oil and gas, other extractives and in a lot of cases the mostly forgotten plants and trees which are utilized for producing various products. In a broader sense, we also should consider wildlife as part of the natural resources, which are becoming part of our conflict.
Looking at the power struggles, going on in our region, there is a force that is rarely discussed and this is the hidden force of individual economic power. This is what I can call the Unseen Power.
A lot has been said of the issues around political leaders and their insurmountable desire to perpetuate their rule. Nothing seems to be said of the non-politicians who ensure that the politicians remain in power and are in most cases more ruthless than the politicians. This is a phenomenon around the world and a lot of leaders are said to be under the influence of particular groups. Even in the current ongoing debate in the USA, it is said that Hillary Clinton is under the influence of the Washington power brokers. The Unseen Power.
Coming closer home, we have seen the so-called dictatorships being perpetuated to stay in power by “external” forces. In most cases, I dare say that these external forces are only external to the political class but not necessarily from across the borders. The Unseen Power.
If we look at the recent case of South Sudan with the President and Vice President being caught unawares by their “supporters”, it is clear that there is a strong hand of “power brokers” working in the background. The Unseen Power.
In most cases, this is the real power. It is time we started recognizing and dialoguing with this real power. On many occasions this power does not appear in public and neither does it take blame for consequences of violence. It holds nations and heads of states ransom. It is ruthless and the concern of the common citizen is not anywhere in its vocabulary. It has persons driven purely by greed. These are the forces the Holy Father speaks of in “Laudato Si”, who by over exploiting will lead us to war. Francis writes, “It is foreseeable that, once certain resources have been depleted, the scene will be set for new wars.”. Unfortunately we might already be too late. Resource and personal wealth related wars are already with us.
What is being witnessed in South Sudan and some of the other African countries symptoms of a more chronic problem. It is the lack of available formal employment in countries where resources might be in abundance but not well distributed. It is the ideal operating environment of Unseen Powers. Powers that ensure political systems do not stabilize so that they can continue gaining individually. It is the type of environment, which does not allow for Unseen Powers to seed control due to uncertainty.
I believe it is a high time we shed a light on these Unseen Powers. It is time we brought them to the discussion table so as to end the bloodshed we are witnessing in the region. It is time we accepted the Unseen Power, does have Power.
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