This book is based on four fundamental objectives. First, it aims to outline the themes, problems, and challenges that face Africa and determine the nature and function of Africa's diplomacy and foreign policy. Second, it aims to cram a comprehensive survey of information, knowledge, and critical analyses of the various aspects of the African events, issues, and dictates of life, and that will examine each of these aspects extensively, each in its own compartment for the use of any-one or any institution that may be interested in a given aspect of African diplomacy, foreign policy, and international relations. This is a study of African international relations, politics, economics and related issues, and the global system in which Africa participates as a collection of states that are sovereign political units and subjects of international law. Third, this book endeavors to determine the roots, foundations, and sources of African international relations, African diplomacy, and foreign policy, and trace them to antiquity. The analyses deal with the various sources and backgrounds of physical, historical, political, social, cultural, economic, and environmental origin from which the theory and reality of African international relations, African diplomacy, and foreign policy are derived. Fourth, this book targets a broad audience, which is invited to use this book as a master text on African international relations, African diplomacy, and foreign policy that collects national, regional, and global perspectives on Africa.

Africa is a crucible of culture and heritage with a complex history. Indigenous tribal practices and preexisting values were altered dramatically, either by force or as a result of the Christian and Islamic cultures that spread throughout the continent. Later, the domineering forces of European colonial nations brought even greater change. Africa emerged from its colonization an amalgam of diverse and conflicting traditions, legacies, values, and languages. Consequently, these developments have had a wide impact on the formulation and execution of African foreign policy and diplomacy today.