Digital diplomacy: Crucial component of modern international relations

KAMWENJE
CHINJILI-BANDA
THE COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significance of digital tools and the necessity for diplomatic and other forms of international communication to evolve.
Due to the fact that diplomats operate in a digital environment rife with new challenges and opportunities such as cyber security and internet governance, digital diplomacy has become indispensable.
Digital diplomacy pertains to extensive utilisation of technology in execution of diplomatic activities, with a specific emphasis on social media platforms and information and communications technology (ICT)-based innovations such as the internet and conferencing podia.
It promotes harmonious interactions among nations, individuals and businesses in the realms of politics, economics, culture and science.
Digital diplomatic practice employs diplomatic instruments to accomplish objectives in the dynamic and intricate cyberspace by enhancing the reputation of a nation or organisation it represents by promoting its interests.
The significance of digital diplomacy, as alluded to earlier, is predicated upon the utilisation of ICT, including the internet and social media, which concurrently serve as its foundation and support system for enhancing diplomatic relations. Consequently, understanding the function and significance of digital diplomacy is essential.
Undoubtedly, disparities in levels of development have emerged among nations, with those characterised by advanced technological innovation clearly leading the way.
This has resulted in substantial inequality among nations as those advancing more rapidly continue to gain a comparative advantage over those advancing more slowly.
As a consequence, safeguarding national assets and interests against superior cyber-competitors has also become essential. The truth is that techno-economic disparities have been widening since the advent of the industrial revolution.
The fundamental dynamics of inter-society interactions are highlighted by this technological inequality, and this has become the very justification for international relations and diplomacy.
The 40-plus-year cold war between the two superpowers was characterised by an unrelenting quest for technological and military advancements to maintain an advantage over the adversary.
As a result, sophisticated technologies developed at an accelerated rate, which influenced political and military doctrines, as well as the approaches and methods used to wage war and maintain peace.
Consequently, this has become the foundation upon which the current endeavour for digital diplomacy is built.
Today, ICT is so ingrained in national agendas and international relations that it must be considered essential in diplomatic practice and conduct.
ICT and digitisation are as important as ever in the 21st century, yet their impact on foreign policy is nearly undetectable.
Much of globalisation and interdependency among civilisations and nations today is due to ICT integration because it has helped modern civilisation become a knowledge-based society with fast information flow.
Currently, some of the more developed and powerful nations are employing ICT to project their soft power, thus understanding the importance of digitisation in international relations and changing diplomacy dynamics cannot be overestimated.
Also, COVID-19 has caused a mandatory shift in international politics where all countries must at least have a comprehensive digital foreign policy strategy.
For example, the world witnessed a huge surge in the usage of digital conference platforms such as Zoom.
And it became obvious that digital diplomacy had emerged as one of the important forms of diplomacy in our modern society due to the fact that it facilitated fast and effective communication.
In addition, it was cheaper and seems to have helped level the playing field somewhat, in having both developed and developing nations interact in that common space, as well as allowing globally scattered audiences to communicate with each other during the pandemic and lockdowns.
By means of these virtual processes, it is therefore imperative that African nations also adopt digital diplomacy.
To their credit, social media platforms, mostly X and Facebook, are already being utilised by a considerable number of African leaders, ministries of foreign affairs, and other pertinent organisations.
President Hakainde Hichilema, for example, has amassed over two million followers on X and Facebook as channels to reach national and international audiences.
This deserves commendation.
However, it must be conceded that Africa faces several obstacles to digital diplomacy, one of which is inadequate technological infrastructure such as cost-effective electricity and accessible internet.
Additionally, for political and, for some, alleged peace, security and stability reasons, a number of African governments have at times shut down or restricted access to social media platforms and the internet, reflecting the mistrust of the internet among some government leaders.
Examples of such governments are those for Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Togo, Burundi, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Guinea.
Granted, and like any new technologies, the digital space can both be used to good advantage as well as be abused by those intent on doing harm.
In short, digital diplomacy in Africa, as is true of elsewhere in the world, is impeded by such realities.
Be that as it may, by utilising social media and other digital tools, African nations should capitalise on their standing in the international diplomatic arena.
Ministries of foreign affairs can expedite delivery of conventional diplomatic services in a more efficient and economical manner by utilising social media platforms and digital spaces to disseminate real-time information.
In addition, they can expedite and improve the efficacy of the State’s efforts in international relations, improving the nation’s reputation and advancing its objectives and interests.
Of course, digital diplomacy does not supplant conventional diplomacy.
Rather, it facilitates the progression of a nation’s foreign policy objectives through broadening of international alignment and the influence it exerts on people around the globe who have never interacted with any diplomatic representative.
The author is a research fellow at Dag Hammarskjold Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Copperbelt University.