Widely regarded as the preeminent father of international relations, Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy and approaches to international order were widely praised and criticized almost in equal measure. For long, the American diplomat has been misunderstood; perhaps too much for his own tireless promotion of his views on international relations and diplomacy.
Mr Kissinger was an ardent promoter of American national interests, often at the peril of thousands who did not share similar views across the world. Like all practitioners of international relations and diplomacy, he lied for his country – ‘as national interest demanded’. What stands out in Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy and diplomatic practice is thorough idealism; this was beyond his protectionist stance on national interests. His idealism holds valuable lessons for many African states and practitioners of diplomacy today. In a world that is changing every day and adjusting to shifting dynamics, Africa stands in a dilemma. On one hand, it faces a struggle to enter conversations as a key player on the international scene; on the other, it is haunted by ghosts of a governance system that is unable to evolve as quickly as circumstances demand.
Here are 3 lessons Africa can learn from Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy and approaches to foreign relations.
1. Idealistic Approach To Crises
As a continent, Africa faces more challenges today than any other period in human civilization. While governments across the continent have tried their best to solve emerging and existing crises, more needs to be done, and much more is missing in terms of effective approaches. There are bitter wars, political conflicts, and poisonous cross-border skirmishes between nations across the continent. Moreover, there have been outside-the-continent conflicts – war in Ukraine and Gaza – that have had devastating global consequences. It is fair to say that the continent has not exactly approached the said conflicts in a manner that would protect her position as an upcoming global force. There is also the unrelenting issue of climate change and artificial intelligence that seems to be pounding the continent harder than any previous wars/conflicts. Mr Kissinger’s idealism in dealing with conflicts, notably the Cold War and Indochina wars, went a long way in limiting the overall impact and preventing their repeat. It has also been key in keeping the peace with China since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations during and after the Cold War.
2. Deep situational analysis of global order
As new world challenges including artificial intelligence and climate change continue pounding the world, the practice of diplomacy and international relations is not as straightforward as many believe it to be. There are so many interrelated pieces that need to be handled with utmost care. Mr Kissinger was a great examiner of international relations situations. Most states’ approaches to diplomacy today bear his trademark approaches. His dispassionate analysis of conflicts and the global ordering process made him an icon for many in America and beyond. He fought for room to maneuver and adjust the status quo. In large measure, this is what is missing across the continent; it is also what has led to the proliferation and sprouting of conflicts across the continent.
3. Tolerance and Compromise
Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy was predicated on the theme of tolerance. He believed that states needed to tolerate each others’ differences to progress effectively. In Africa today, one of the primary causes of conflicts is intolerance between countries and states. The aftermath of colonization left the continent disjointed and lacking a clear sense of direction. The fact that most countries are not ready to relate meaningfully, even in times of great adversity, has not helped the overall healing process. The continent needs to take a leaf from Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy and appreciate that no level of coherence can be achieved without tolerance and compromise.
In conclusion, Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy is harder now than during the Cold War years. Today, confidential high-level meetings end up being uploaded in more than one available social media channel by untraceable users. Ordering the world and attempting to disseminate ideals that should be adopted as a global or continental standard is harder than ever. It is a pity that Mr Kissinger’s vision for global order and practice of international relations died with him in November 2023. The African continent needs a firm grip on Kissinger’s ideals and advocates for a better state of affairs with improved relations across.
