…Praises Traoré in AU Day lecture
Former Ghanaian Member of Parliament (MP), Ras Mubarak, has issued a clarion call to African youth to reject neo-colonialism and take up the mantle of Pan-African leadership, describing the younger generation as, “the leaders of now” in a compelling keynote address delivered at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, Turkey, to mark Africa Union (AU) Day.
Speaking to an audience comprising mostly African students, faculty and guests, Mr Mubarak, described Africa’s current plight as one of “crippling lack of confidence” in its own competence, worsened by entrenched foreign interests and systemic leadership failures.
“It is not that we lack resources; we lack leadership,” he stated. “And most importantly, we’ve been trained to doubt ourselves.”
The former MP,, singled out developments in the Sahel region, particularly the rise of Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso, as emblematic of a new wave of African consciousness.
“Traoré’s leadership may challenge traditional norms, but it resonates with a generation tired of cosmetic democracy,” Mr Mubarak said.
“He is celebrated not because he seized power, but because he is using power to serve, not to submit.”
He described Traoré’s expulsion of foreign troops and reclamation of natural resources as a “psychological awakening,” asserting that true democracy must be rooted in dignity and economic sovereignty, rather than foreign validation or “scripted elections”.
He illustrated this sentiment with a humorous yet poignant anecdote about African professors abandoning a plane built by African students, except for a lone Ghanaian who believed the aircraft wouldn’t even start. “As humorous as it may sound,” he said, “this story sums up the state of despair about Africa.”
Turning his focus to West Africa, Mr Mubarak criticised the lack of progress on longstanding integration initiatives such as the Eco currency proposed by ECOWAS.
“I was a teenager when that conversation began,” he said. “Today, I’m turning 46, and our leaders are still talking. Why hasn’t it happened? One reason: a lack of political will.”
He blamed continued dependence on foreign influence for the region’s stagnation. “Our leaders are too often beholden to puppet masters in Washington, Brussels, London and Paris,” he declared. “They benefit from our division and dependence.”
Arguing for a recalibration of Africa’s global partnerships, Mr Mubarak, urged African nations to deepen South-South cooperation and seek alliances with nations like China, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey, countries he said were more likely to treat Africa as equals.
“For far too long, we have looked to the West for solutions, validation, and inspiration. That is nonsense. That’s a lie. That’s brainwashing,” he said. “It’s time we shift our gaze to the East, to the Global South.”
He challenged students to question dominant global narratives and take pride in African knowledge systems. “What about the knowledge of our ancestors? What about the wisdom of our elders? What about the innovations of our own people?” he asked.
Mr Mubarak called on Africa’s youth to resist political apathy and become active agents of change, condemning leadership models prioritising elections over actual governance.
“African youth care about a chance to get on in life — a chance to acquire knowledge, skills, and the prospects of a better future,” he said. “If we are going to meet these hopes and live those dreams, then we must stand together in the task of building a better Africa.”
He invoked the legacy of great Pan-Africanists such as Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba, reminding students that “no nation and continent is perfect. We have to strive for a better Africa.”
Mr Mubarak concluded his speech with a controversial appeal for solidarity with Palestine, sharply criticising the Israeli government and calling for African support for the Palestinian cause.
“Africans, who have been through slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism, should understand better the oppression of Palestinians,” he said. “Without apology, I say this to you — Israel is a gangster terrorist entity whose leaders must face justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
He ended with words of gratitude in multiple African languages, rallying students to rise not only as witnesses to history but as its authors.
“May our African students and youth rise, not just as witnesses to history, but as its authors! May God bless Africa, may God bless the Turkish people, may God bless all who seek genuine partnership with Africa. Long live Palestine and may God bless us all.”