This article seeks to establish the relevance of pan-Africanism in the 21st century through unpacking what the ideology is about and how it can be applied to address the current needs and challenges of the continent.
What is pan-Africanism?
Pan-Africanism, an ideology that dates to the 19th century is the belief that people of African descent have common interests and they should be unified. It is a response to ills such as slavery, colonialism, imperialism and racism. As Victor Thompson explains, ‘the idea of pan-Africanism was intended to challenge the main activities of European imperialists, namely, the slave trade, European colonisation of Africa and racism’. As one scholar Pakiso Tondi put it, there are four themes that can be identified through the evolution of pan-Africanist thought and practice in the 20th century.
These themes are, pan-Africanism as:
a universal expression of black pride and achievement;
a return to Africa by the people of African descent living in the diaspora;
a harbinger of liberation; and
the political unification of the continent.
While the pan-Africanism ideology originates from African Americans and intellectual thinkers such as Dr William Dubois and Marcus Gavey modernised it, it is a critical ideology for self-actualisation which also found expression in leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere. There are various forms of pan-Africanism but at the core, they are about uniting Africans and celebrating African culture, history and successes.
African marginalisation
For centuries Africans have suffered many forms of heinous human rights violations that sought to suffocate them and rob them of their identity. These violations include slavery and colonialism. Even when the violations were abolished, Africans were not given fair and equitable opportunities to thrive. Discriminatory laws such as the Jim Crow laws in the United States of America were introduced. In other parts of the world caste systems which relegate Africans to the bottom tier of humanity were implemented. Post-colonialism, we are witnessing the advent of neo-colonialism and a new scramble for African resources which often relegates Africans to the margins of economic activity and profit over their own resources.
Africans have often been labelled as people whose cultures are barbaric and archaic despite the rich diversity that their cultures bring. This has robbed African citizens of their identity as they are forced to identify with what the world calls them. This centuries long subjugation of the black race has meant the suppression, belittlement and destruction of Africa and its people. This also means that the rebuilding of Africa requires the restoration of African humanity in all facets of life and the elevation of Africa back onto the global stage as an equal people.
Relevance of pan-Africanism
While not without its own limitations, pan-Africanism remains an ideology that provides an opportunity for Africans to emancipate themselves, unite and pursue common goals and interests that are key to their success. It empowers Africans to tackle some of the challenges and limitations that evils such as slavery and colonialism left behind. Pan-Africanism provides us with an opportunity to explore our diversities as people of African descent in a healthy, non-dehumanising way and to celebrate ourselves. Pan-Africanism remains a mechanism for integrating the continent and providing avenues for intra-African trade. Unfortunately, Africa currently trades more with foreign countries than they do with themselves. This not only affects the growth of the continent’s economies but also presents the challenge of accessing foreign currency to facilitate trade. If Africans were to trade more amongst themselves, accessing foreign currency would not necessarily be an issue.
In the 21st century, pan-Africanism remains a relevant ideology for achieving African unity and to actualisation politically, economically, and socially. While some level of unity has been attained on the continent, this is often at state and official level. Africa is yet to unite her people, to defeat tribalism, and narrow definitions of nationalism (which often manifest in violent forms such as xenophobic attacks).
Africa is still to foster free movement of people and promote an African identity and personality that fully celebrates African diversity and excellence.
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