Lawyer and former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, has painted a stark picture of Africa’s challenges, warning that the continent cannot achieve prosperity or integration while conflicts and instability persist.
Speaking at the 2026 African Prosperity Dialogues on the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate, Collaborate, Trade,” Lumumba warned that Africa’s political culture and external influences continue to hinder progress.
He cited the Francophonie and Commonwealth as a “new form of colonialism,” with European powers still trying to regulate African affairs.
The Pan-Africanist described the current state of the continent as “bleeding,” citing wars in Sudan, ongoing conflict in eastern D.R. Congo, and the marginalisation of Sahelian countries in African Union activities.
“As we have gathered talking about a borderless Africa, let us be realistic. I am speaking to you at a time where Africa is bleeding. There is war in Sudan, there is war in the Eastern part of D.R Congo, the Sahelian countries are excluded from the activities of the Africa Union. Africa is not at ease.
“So even as we talk about a borderless Africa, we must talk about an Africa where there is peace because you can have all the free borders but if there is no peace, where will you move? I remember the African Union said there was the silencing of the guns, the guns are with us again.
“So my fellow Africans, let us not be romantic about what we are saying. Let us be realistic ,” he said.
Lumumba emphasised that Africa’s integration cannot succeed without peace, accountability, and effective leadership.
He called on civil society, youth, and women entrepreneurs to demand tangible action from leaders, warning that free trade, open borders, and ambitious policies alone cannot deliver prosperity without governance and security.
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