Those of us who grew up in the 60s, 70s, and 80s singing and debating Pan-Africanism are clearly nostalgic about our past. The worldwide movement sought to unify Africans both on the continent and from the Diaspora, fight for independence and promote solidarity.
I guess it was easy for Pan-Africanism then to gain currency because Africans had a visible ‘enemy;’ colonialism and its attendant challenges. The tragedy was real and the cry for independence was both a juicy struggle and palpable cause and goal for rallying mass support.
But after independence, the spirit somewhat whittled. The current generation have trouble remembering the visionary thinkers, scholars and heads of state who shaped the movement. There were many but I allow myself the liberty of mentioning just a few, such as Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, Walter Rodney and doctor and fighter, Frantz Omar Fanon.
There can be no doubt that African political ideas for the struggle to liberate Southern Africa were heavily influenced by the ideas of Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah. Despite their differences, Africans still saw themselves as one and Nkrumah for instance, wanted Africa to raise a regional army under a regional high command, to liberate of Southern Africa.
Nyerere saw it differently. People could only be helped to liberate themselves and not be handed freedom on a silver platter.
Finally, it was Nyerere’s position that prevailed. Dar es Salaam became the Headquarters of the Liberation Committee of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and Nyerere became the Chairman of the Frontline States that coordinated the liberation struggle for southern Africa.
Within a decade, the whole of southern Africa was liberated, completing the continental freedom movement that had started in the 1940s.
Nkrumah on the other hand, wanted to play an internationalist role at that rather very nascent stage of his country’s freedom. Ghana gained independence from the British on June 1, 1957 and became the first African country to win back its freedom.
However, Nkrumah was toppled in a military Coup d’ etat (code-named Operation Cold Chop) on February 24, 1966, as he had reached Beijing, China, on his way to Hanoi with proposals for ending the Vietnam War. Nkrumah clearly waded into “Big Brother” politics, which cost him his leadership.
Critics comparing Nkrumah and Nyerere often say Nkrumah lacked rearguard and approached international power politics like a stroll in a park. On the other hand, it was difficult to stab Nyerere from behind.
Africa still faces a number of challenges, including clinging zealously to borders created by colonialists. Therefore, we must commend those countries that have removed visas for fellow Africans on short-term visits and sojourns.
The African passport that would have enabled Africans free movement across the continent no longer appears to be a fashionable agenda even as Agenda 2063 remains the goal on paper.
A protocol for the free movement of people across borders as part of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement has been ratified by only a handful of states. Thus, it falls behind the threshold required for its full implementation.
Fourteen years ago, there was hope and jubilation when nearly all the 55 African Union (AU) member states signed and ratified the AfCFTA agreement. However, its slow implementation speaks volumes about Africa’s meaningful integration.
