Mahama Warns Africa Against Foreign Powers Exploiting Its Resources

President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned African leaders against allowing foreign powers to gain undue influence over the continent’s natural resources, politics and security, warning that failure to act collectively could undermine Africa’s sovereignty.

Speaking at the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, on Saturday, October 24, Mr Mahama said competition for natural resources, governance challenges and external interference were contributing to conflicts across the continent.

He cited the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where competition over gold and strategic minerals, including coltan and cobalt, has been linked to instability.

The President warned that foreign powers from different regions were seeking strategic influence and access to resources across Africa.

“External powers, from the East, the West, and the Gulf, are actively seeking leverage, access, and client states on our soil,” he said.

He stressed that African countries must take greater responsibility for determining their political and security priorities rather than allowing external interests to shape the continent’s future.

“Let me be clear: Africa is not an empty chessboard for foreign powers to play their games. We are not spectators. But unless we consciously decide to take up the pen and write our own script, someone else will write it for us, and we will not like how the story ends,” he added.

Mr Mahama also identified governance failures in Somalia, the marginalisation of young people in Mozambique’s resource-rich Cabo Delgado region, and divisions between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States as challenges weakening regional security.

He further raised concerns about the increasing use of commercially available drones by armed groups, warning that the technology was making conflicts more dangerous and increasing civilian casualties.

“Armed groups and non-state actors have mastered the commercial drone—cheap, accessible, and deadly. In Sudan alone, these low-cost flying weapons accounted for the vast majority of civilian casualties early this year,” he said.

The President called on African leaders to deepen regional cooperation, strengthen governance and exercise greater control over the continent’s natural resources and security arrangements.

He warned that without a coordinated response, Africa risked having its future increasingly determined by external interests rather than the priorities of its people.