By: Ollus Ndomu
The Pan-Africanism ideology was created to foster a sense of brotherhood and collaboration among Africans at home and in the diaspora. In its early years, this ideology endeavored to promote unity of purpose among Africans for their continent’s liberation. At least Africans lived a unity of purpose so that independence was achieved across the continent; suffice to say, the ideology’s primary goal was realized after a long struggle, of course.
Fast forward, Pan-Africanism started to become weak in the post-independence era as dictatorship, autocracy, and corruption triggered national conflicts, growing insecurity, hunger, and poverty. These are problems that we even face in modern Africa. While others may argue that the socio-economic, religious and political problems Africa faces today are far-reaching consequences of colonialism, we hold a completely different view.
Perhaps this is why we are asking whether Pan-Africanism is still relevant; relevant to the problems we face today, particularly economic challenges. This ideology is now a project going out of fashion as its remnants are African leaders that identify with dictatorship and a prolonged-forced grip on power. Those who profess democracy are puppets of Western systems. In its current state, Pan-Africanism is suffering from gradual unconsciousness as our leaders pledge allegiance to “Western” policies rather than rededicating themselves to durable radical “Pan-Africanism,” which is an antidote to Africa’s self-hate/xenophobia, neo-colonialism, and economic slavery.
What is Pan-Africanism if we cannot counter Western, Russian, or Chinese influence on the continent? It appears Africa is that prostitute that is available to anything called a man; provided there is money involved. If Pan-Africanism is to remain relevant, it should have its agenda redefined in the context of postmodernism. It should dwell more on economic self-reliance before anything else. We cannot talk about a pure political independence when we entirely depend on outsiders to set our agenda. The narrative should begin to change.
The old version of Pan-Africanism achieved its major goal, and it cannot apply to the problems replete around this continent. We need another version of this ideology that is very responsive to our immediate challenges.
