Pan Africa: Mere Rhetoric Or Potential?

The 1960’s saw a wave of hope for the African continent with the insurgence of independent states. One man in particular came to embody Africa’s liberation from its colonial past. His name was Kwame Nkrumeh, and he became the face of the Pan Africa movement. Kwame Nkrumeh was Ghana’s first head of state, securing Ghana’s independence from British rule in 1957. His “victory” over what he considered western imperialism in the Gold Coast (present day Ghana) brought a wave of inspiration and awe in Africa and the rest of the world. His famous speech, “I speak of Freedom” became a synopsis of Africa’s ugly past under colonial rule, its shaky present and promising future from the shackles of its “oppressors.” According to Martin Meredith’s “The Fate of Africa,” in 1958 Nkrumeh gathered a group of student unions, political parties and trade unions from across the continent in an attempt to coordinate the African non-violent revolution. They discussed revolutionary tactics. A few years later, other African countries would follow suite on the road to independence.

In 1963 the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was formed as a means to bring African nation states together and as a force against western control. There was indeed a strong sense of hope for Africa. The fact that many nation states had undergone similar experiences of oppression, economic equality and exploitation under European rule created a sense of unity that on the surfaced seemed unshakable. However, the advent of freedom from the “masters” became a catalyst for many of Africa’s problems to emerge. The growing discrepancy between the have and have-nots, political and ethnic conflicts in places like the Congo, Burundi and ultimately the first civil war to emerge out of Africa, the Nigeria/Biafra war in 1967 were just a few examples. It became apparent that at the end of the nineteenth century when the European powers mapped out Africa, they had no consideration for the differences among ethnic groups. These would lead to various conflicts throughout the region that still persists today. Also the fact that numerous dictators and tyrants began to emerge from Africa creating governments besieged by corruption, greed and oppression stunted the hopes of a liberated Africa for many. Examples of such cases were Abeid Karume’s regime in Zanzibar, Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s regime in Central Africa republic and Idi Amin’s brutal rule in Uganda. Political instability as a result of numerous coups in places such as Nigeria and Ghana created questions in people’s minds about the ability of Africans to rule themselves. Pan-Africa appeared to be mere rhetoric which had no evidence in reality.

Even though there are success stories in some areas in Africa, there are still many cases of ethnic conflicts, poverty, oppressive governments and in some areas full scale wars that have lasted for many years, example the Congo. The issue now is whether Pan Africa can ever become a reality in the face of evidence that shows a clear division among ethnic and economic lines. Obviously the founders of the Pan Africa movement and the OAU held a positive vision for Africa-an Africa united by the cultural and historical aspects that bind us. A united Africa is a necessity if we intend to be viewed by the rest of the world in a positive manner. The reality of Pan Africa will strengthen our resolve to be taken seriously in the world stage. After all, Africa has contributed immensely to civilization and global culture in the areas of music, arts and the birth of the sciences. Ancient civilizations such as Kamit (now referred to as Egypt), Ethiopia, Nubia and Timbuktu set the stage for modern day Mathematics, Philosophy and Medicine. A sample reference is Chancellor William’s “The Destruction of Black Civilization.” There are also many other books on the subject.

Africa’s unity will inspire its descendants all over the world (especially in places like North and South America and the Caribbean were they continue to be exploited and treated like second class citizens) to come together as a force worthy of recognition. The revolutionary ideas of our founding fathers must detach itself from the position of ideology to become a vision, a goal and ultimately a reality. However as they say charity begins at home; with a number of nations needing to clean its own house first.


References:
Meredith, Martin: “The Fate Of Africa.”
http://www.encyclopedia.com/