The global order is rigged against Africa - Mahama raises concerns

"Rethinking Activism in Africa: Voices and Visionaries for Social Justice and Human Rights" is a recently published book, edited by renowned activist and writer Mark Heywood. The book features essays from writers in eight different African countries. Daily Maverick has begun sharing excerpts from four of these essays, beginning with Mark Heywood's introduction.

In 2025, South Africa successfully hosted the first African G20 Summit, where Africa's interests were prominently featured in the G20 Leaders' Declaration. Despite US President Donald Trump's attempt to boycott the summit, the African leaders present demonstrated composure and dignity.

However, the summit also raised questions about Africa's future in the emerging new world order. Will Africa become a driving force for global democratic renewal, integrating human rights and social justice into society? Or will Africa continue to suffer from underdevelopment, colonial legacies, and poor governance?

The answers to these questions largely depend on the efforts of organized citizens who actively engage in civil society. Social justice activists play a crucial role in being heard, building power, and fostering both soft and hard activism. Their presence is essential to the resonance of activism and its connection to society.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, likens civil society activists to "the antibodies of a healthy society" in an interview at the 2025 Nelson Mandela Lecture. Albanese emphasizes the noble nature of activism and the sacrifices made by activists, likening their dedication to solidarity and love.

Albanese's choice of words reflects the growing global awareness of the threat of pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS and Covid-19. Just as the immune system responds to threats with antibodies, social justice activism acts as a defense mechanism against injustice, oppression, violence, and discrimination. Different types of activism emerge to address various issues and political contexts, multiplying and combining to restore and repair societies.

However, Albanese also implies that our societies have become deeply diseased by colonialism, capitalism, and neoliberalism, normalizing the abnormal. In this context, the antibodies of activism alone may not be sufficient to prevent the spread of injustice. As activist and writer Naomi Klein suggests, we also need to learn to mobilize for the society we want, galvanizing resistance and revolution on the basis of a desirable future rather than merely rejecting the world as it is.