THS African states pursuing closer ties with Middle Powers

Nationalism is the idea that a person's nation is superior to all others. It is the emergence of a group identity based upon a shared sense of history, cultural, ethnic, or linguistic ties. The difference between nationalism and patriotism is the feeling of superiority; in the eyes of nationalists, loyalty to and pursuing the interests of the nation are more important than anything else. States often curate nationalism by incorporating nationalist ideas in school curriculums, national symbols, monuments, etc.

"The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was established to promote the unity and solidarity of African countries, defend state sovereignty, eradicate colonialism, promote international cooperation, and coordinate and harmonize Member States’ policies. The AU supports political and economic integration among its 54 member nations. It aims to boost development, eradicate poverty and bring Africa into the global economy. In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all. These goals include: No poverty, Zero hunger, Gender equality, and Reduced inequality. Despite the wide-ranging goals, anti-racism or anti-Blackness is not one such objective. There is also no mention of the effects of colonisation on the development of countries that were formerly colonised. "