MWE Correspondent
Tanzanian opposition presidential candidate Doyo Hassan Doyo has called for African countries to reduce reliance on global institutions such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, arguing that they inadequately represent the interests of developing nations.
Speaking in an interview focused on geopolitics and governance, Doyo said current international systems are structurally constrained and often fail to act decisively in major global conflicts. He pointed to situations where responses are limited to official statements rather than substantive intervention.
“The effectiveness of global institutions should be measured by outcomes, not declarations,” he said, citing ongoing international crises as examples of perceived institutional inaction.
The United Nations has defended its role as a multilateral platform, noting that its actions are shaped by member state consensus and Security Council dynamics. However, critics argue that these structural limitations have reduced its operational effectiveness, particularly in conflict resolution.
Doyo’s comments come amid a broader push within Africa to strengthen regional cooperation and institutional capacity. He argued that the continent has sufficient resources to support independent economic and legal systems, reducing reliance on external actors.
“Africa has the assets required for self-sufficiency,” he said, referencing mineral wealth, energy resources and agricultural potential. He added that stronger intra-African collaboration could improve resilience and bargaining power in global markets.
Tanzania has been part of this trend, with policy shifts aimed at increasing domestic value retention in key sectors such as mining and energy. Analysts say these reforms are consistent with a wider continental move toward economic sovereignty.
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Doyo also questioned the universality of Western democratic models, arguing that governance systems should be adapted to local cultural and historical contexts. This perspective aligns with a growing discourse among African leaders advocating for context-specific approaches to democracy.
Historical examples were cited to support the argument. Pre-colonial East African societies, including those in Kilwa and Zanzibar, maintained structured trade networks and governance systems, demonstrating that institutional capacity existed prior to external influence.
Despite these arguments, experts warn that disengagement from global institutions could have economic and diplomatic implications. Access to international markets, investment flows and cooperative security frameworks often depends on continued participation in global systems.
Doyo acknowledged these complexities but maintained that reform is necessary to ensure equitable representation. “The objective is not isolation, but balance,” he said.
The debate underscores a broader transition in African policy thinking, as governments and political actors reassess the role of international institutions in a changing geopolitical environment.
