It’s Afrika Liberation Month. On May 25th 1963, designated Afrika Liberation Day (ALD), the independent heads of government met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to establish the Organisation of Afrikan Unity. Although the resultant organisation ended up being a compromise between competing blocs – the more radical Casablanca group (consisting of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria) and the more moderate Monrovia group (Nigeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sudan, Togo, and Somalia), (1) they did agree on some key purposes:
(a) To promote the unity and solidarity of the African States;
(b) To coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa;
(c) To defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence;
(d) To eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa… (2)
Fifty-eight years on, it’s questionable the extent to which any of these have been achieved. With policies still dictated by former colonial powers, it seems that solidarity can only exist at the behest of Europe, which is in itself is not only a contradiction but also undermines any notion of sovereignty. (3) A fundamental factor in Afrika’s political and economic turbulence lies in the failure to “eradicate all forms of colonialism,” nor indeed its more refined incarnation – neo-colonialism. Thus, the Afrikan liberation project has arguably been under siege since its inception. (4)
Historically, the implacable foe has been the European axis (Europe/USA/Israel/white commonwealth) but more recently China has entered the fray. Initially lauded by many as leverage against white power, the wannabe number one superpower is now advancing its own perilous course in the Motherland. (5)
Moreover, the recent controversial death of visionary Tanzania president Pombe Magufuli presents an existential challenge, especially with reports of his successor rolling back his gains amid globalisation agendas like ‘Empire 2.0’, ‘The 4th Industrial Revolution’ and ‘The Great Re-Set’. With Afrikans in the diaspora located where these agendas are being birthed, the time to assess and articulate its role has never been more pressing. (6)
(1) South African History Online (03/04/11) Organisation of African Unity (OAU). . https://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/organisation-african-unity-oau
(2) Tchioffo Kodjo (14/03/12) OAU Charter, Addis Ababa, 25 May 1963. http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/oau-charter-addis-ababa-25-may-1963
(3) Institute for Security Studies (27/11/15) The Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report: It’s Shakespeare vs Molière in the African Union. https://issafrica.org/pscreport/addis-insights/its-shakespeare-vs-moliere-in-the-african-union
(4) Infoplease. (14/15/18) Life Expectancy for Countries.. © 2000-2017 Sandbox Networks, Inc., publishing as Infoplease. https://www.infoplease.com/world/health-and-social-statistics/life-expectancy-countries-0
(5) Alemayehu G. Mariam (07/09/17) Chinese neocolonialism in Africa The Dragon eating the African Lion and Cheetah? (Part I). https://www.pambazuka.org/global-south/chinese-neocolonialism-africa
(6) Andres Schipani (14/04/21) Tanzania’s new president turns her back on Magufuli. https://www.ft.com/content/7549086b-515f-44ea-850c-9795d4a124d6; Sam Coates (06/03/17) Ministers aim to build ‘empire 2.0’ with African Commonwealth. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-aim-to-build-empire-2-0-with-african-commonwealth-after-brexit-v9bs6f6z9; Dr. Joseph Mercola (18/11/20) Who Pressed the Great Reset Button? https://www.globalresearch.ca/who-pressed-great-reset-button/5730169; Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement (26/03/21) Statement on the Death of Pres. John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtRpwtimaIA
we ask the question:
What are the main obstacles to Afrikan Liberation?
1) Are you aware of the origins of ALD?
2) To what extent did the OAU meet its key purposes?
3) Is Afrika’s current plight due to mismanagement or external forces?
4) How significant was the death of President Magufuli?
5) Does Afrika stand a chance against ‘Empire 2.0’ and ‘The 4th Industrial Revolution’?
6) What should Afrikans in the diaspora do?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.