AFRICA'S INDEPENDENCE IN QUESTION

 Is African independence a reality or a fallacy?


The 20th century featured the West imposing its civilization on Africa. Countries like Great Britain and France brought cities together to form colonies. And these colonies were guarded like personal properties.

However, during the 1960s and 1970s,africans rose to ask for their independence. Leaders from different African colonies like Kwame Nkrumah,Nnamdi Azikiwe,Obafemi Awolowo, Leopold Senghor and many others formed a movement that fought for the independence of Africa. This action led to the independence of African colonies. On 1st October,1960, my country, Nigeria, gained her independence from great Britain. And so many other colonies became independent,ran their countries by themselves and saw to the economic and political growth of their countries.


But the question remains,"Is African independence a reality or a fallacy?"


In my novel, Shattered Dreams, a powerful country, Lampad colonizes the people of Umuaga and combines the people of Umuaga and other ethnic groups to form a country called Alasamba. Alasamba gains her independence from Lampad. Despite gaining independence, Lampad keeps meddling in the affairs of Alasamba.


Neocolonialism is a situation where a powerful country controls another country which is independent, especially through economic, political, military and cultural pressure. This concept was popularized by Pan-African leader, Kwame Nkrumah,in his book Neocolonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism(1965).


It is important to that the Charter of United Nations, Article 2, Paragraph 1 respects the sovereignty of every country in the world, including the sovereignty of African states;


"The organization is based on the sovereign equality of all its members".


It went further to frown at abuse of the sovereignty of a state;


"All members shall refrain in their international relations from threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state"(Article 2, Paragraph 4).


Unfortunately, many African countries have lost their rights to sovereignty.


It is always said that the poorest countries are found in Africa. This might be true. However,it is pertinent to note that the West has played a role in the economic collapse of many African countries. World organizations like International Monetary Fund(IMF) has made economic policies that has led to the economic hardship of Africa. What do we say from the constant borrowing of loans from the World Bank.


Francophone countries make use of France's official currency,Franc,as their main currency? What does this tell you?


What do we say about the Western support of governments that are not people oriented but are West friendly? The aim is to reach an agreement with these dictatorial regimes to keep plundering Africa's natural resources.


 Why hasn't the West spoken about the African leaders who has turned out to become either dictators or president for life? 


They will never speak because these people have become their agents. The West has successfully turned African leaders into toys and puppets to be used for their entertainment. Quite unfortunate.


The West contributed to the security instability and spread of arms in Africa, most especially the Sahel region. In 2011, USA and North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) launched a military intervention in Libya which saw to the death of Libya's military dictator,Muammar Gaddafi.


While this action saw to the death of Gaddafi,it also triggered the civil war in Libya,led to the spread of arms in the Sahel and strengthened the militant groups in Africa. It is an irony because this same country, USA, designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in late 2025 because of the Islamic militant groups who were perpetuating the alleged killing of christians in Northern Nigeria. 


The death of Muammar Gaddafi also led to the instability in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.


Today, countries like China, United Kingdom, USA and France lay claims of African countries. Western billionaires and entrepreneurs speak of Africa as "the next opportunity". One would think Africa is one piece of jewelry at a bazaar.


France launched Operation Barkhane across Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Mali to fight jihadist groups. Not only that, France went ahead to set up military bases in these countries claiming that she was fighting terrorism. To Africa's chagrin and dismay, France was carting away uranium in Niger.


Painfully, the Western goodwill towards Africa has always worn exploitation in disguise.


Unfortunately, Africa's independence is an illusion. Africa has never been free. And unless nothing is done, Africa will remain stagnant.

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