Perspectives on South-South Cooperation: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Revolutions in Africa and elsewhere for liberation and independence spurred by hope for change is characterized by the failure to turn independence to prosperity and sustain economic growth. The imperative to transform the economic and political culture of the nations and peoples of the third world to accelerate the end of poverty and underdevelopment found a common theme in the formation of South-South cooperation and other regional organizations as a response to the unequal economic relations between third world countries and the developed countries which has been an outgrowth of colonialism and neo colonialism. This paper attempts to examine the conceptual and historical matrix of South-South cooperation, its relevance in the promotion and growth of sub regional organizations such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Group of 77 (G 77), etc. This paper further exposes the underlining perspectives in which South-South cooperation may be studied. The methodology adopted for this work links historical background of South-South cooperation with its challenges, perspectives, framework of analysis, the growth of some regional organizations and their aims that help us to conclude and suggest ways forward for South-South to achieve set objectives. So far South-South Cooperation has achieved to some extent objectives for which it was formed but more needs to be done to sustain them in the face of contemporary realities.