Changing Dynamics of African Diplomacy: Concluding Thoughts from Pre-colonial Era to Contemporary Times

Diplomacy since the ancient time has existed as a veritable tool for international relations and a means through which states pursued their interests in the international environment. It could be stated that “diplomacy is more about looking for and finding common ground, about forging agreement and achieving a balance of benefits that will allow each party go home with at least some degree of satisfaction.” Diplomacy is an art that is more about persuasions and not coercion. It is the ordered conduct of relations among states and human societies. Mirumbu defined diplomacy as “the management of international interactions in a skilful and tactful way that promote the foreign policy of a state.” Since the ancient period, many human societies developed ways of relating with others outside their respective groups. Through such ways they resolved conflicts, made negotiations and came to agreements on issues that affected them. Over time, however, such ways or methods of inter-group relations have changed, been modified, progressed or retrogressed. Also, interests pursued by states or human societies have changed to reflect existing political cum socioeconomic realities. This chapter presents the changing dynamics of African diplomacy which started in the pre-colonial era and has continued to change in form, nature, scope and dynamics till the contemporary times.