Africa Forward Summit: Achille Mbembe declares end of gerontocracy
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit at Strathmore University, Mbembe emphasised that the continent's future must be built on civilisational confidence rather than deficit narratives
At the Africa Forward Summit held at Strathmore University, celebrated historian and political theorist Achille Mbembe declared that the rule of gerontocracy has ended in Africa. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the author of *The Earthly Community* argued that this shift has occurred primarily in the minds of the people, marking a seismic psychological and sociopolitical transformation even as institutional progress remains slow.
Mbembe described the continent as moving in multiple directions simultaneously, where chaotic situations coexist with grassroots attempts to reinvent democracy. He noted that these efforts are driven by young people, women, intellectuals, and civil society actors, suggesting that the future of African sovereignty depends on whether these struggles lead to a scramble for resources or the foundation of more open and durable societies.
The discussion was hosted by François Picard, who welcomed Mbembe as a leading voice on postcolonial sovereignty. During the exchange, Mbembe insisted that contemporary Africa is neither a story of collapse nor uncomplicated renewal, but a complex space where cataclysmic chaos exists alongside bottom-up democratic reinvention.
Emphasising the need for a new framework for governance, Mbembe stated that Africa's future must be built on civilisational confidence and existing assets rather than deficit narratives. He argued that the continent must build not on the basis of what it lacks, but on the basis of what it already has, shifting the focus away from traditional narratives of lack.
While the theorist highlighted the profound transformation underway in the collective consciousness of Africans, he acknowledged that the translation of this mindset into tangible political outcomes across diverse nations remains uncertain. The distinction between the current state of public consciousness and the pace of formal institutional change continues to be a critical variable in understanding the region's trajectory.
Ultimately, the declaration marks a significant moment in the discourse surrounding African governance, framing the continent's evolution as a move away from the moral rule of old men toward a more multifaceted and self-determined future.
