Key Areas of Interest in Revolutionary Pan-Africanism

Pan-Africanism is an African philosophy calling for brotherhood and collaboration of all people of African descent whether living in the motherland or diaspora. Furthermore, this is an ideology that recognizes that Africans have unique cultures and traditions yet share a variety of similarities amongst themselves. 

 

Therefore, Pan-Africanism advocates for the unity and organization of African cultures and traditions as a means to achieving unity in Africa and fully emancipating her people from the yolks of neocolonialism.

 

A great score of people, some of them scholars only perceive Pan-Africanism as a radicalized idea that calls for hate towards and seclusion from the rest of the world. Some only view this philosophy as a separatist idea that calls for waging guerilla warfare against former colonizers and overthrowing them from our midst. Nay! Pan-Africanism does not call for separation, hate, or bigotry towards any other race. This philosophy does not condone unnecessary violence or targeted race wars with other parts of the world.  

 

In the 21st century, the world has become one big society. In any undertaking, it is almost impossible for any race or nation to travel the lone separatist road. In the journey towards development, nations and races have never needed each other more than they do today. Most nations have come to learn the importance of pulling together their resources and working toward the betterment of one another without violating basic human rights.

 

The Purpose of Revolutionary Pan-Africanism

Revolutionary Pan-Africanism does not imply that Africa separates itself from the world. It simply calls for a [more actionable] changes in our approaches towards the betterment of the motherland. These approaches might vary in style and means but in no way should they condone unnecessary violence, hate, and bigotry. These changes simply shift the spotlight of attention to how Africa handles the issues that affect her destiny. It calls for Africans wherever they are existing under the umbrella of nationhood to take independent actions on matters that influence their people’s destiny and future outcomes. 

 

 

There are key areas of interest that African people must at all costs take independent actions on. These are critical areas that affect our people’s destinies and determine the outcome of our future. Failure to take lead steps in these key areas has been the basis of Africa’s over-dependence on the outside world. Over-dependence has been the foundation for imperial dominance over African people since time immemorial. As a long student of this philosophy, I have note that revolutionary Pan-Africanism identifies key areas of interest on which African nation-states must take independent actions to be able to earn Africa a respected spot at the civilization dinner table. 

 

 

If, African people continue to be passive about these key areas and leave them entirely in the hands of foreigners, then we will have no one to blame if Africa goes through another century while still occupying the lower ends of the “civilization” food chain. If Africa leaves the development of these key areas to the mercy of foreign elites, then a century from now, our descendants will be deserving to be just mere colonies or nation-states open for invasion and domination. These key areas include;  

 

Leadership, Unity and Organization of Africans

The question of unity and organization and its lack thereof is the focus of attention for revolutionary Pan-Africanism in the 21st century. As foreseen by Hon. Marcus Garvey, the greatest setback facing the negro world whether in the mother continent or diaspora is that of disunity. In the prior centuries, when Africans and African Americans were preparing to rise and champion their movement for independence, the colonial forces reverted to divide-and-conquer tactics to maintain their dominance in Africa. This divide has since been the foundation for our lack of unity and organization.

 

In the mid-20th century, when African elites gathered in Ethiopia, ready to directly take ownership of our governments and leadership of our people, the divide and conquer forces were still largely at play. This was evident when African leaders expressed differences in opinions in the name of the Casablanca group and Monrovia. Due to such differences, Africa’s independence, as we have come to witness today was greatly compromised. 

 

The compromise in African independence is evident in the maintenance of the balkanization of the African continent in its numerous small and porous states. “In unity lies our strength,” Dr. Kwame Nkrumah insisted during the Addis Ababa conference. Unfortunately, our leaders back then did not see the importance of a union state of Africa, backed by centralized government, united military, and single currency. 

 

Revolutionary Pan-Africanism aims to restore unity and organization in the mother continent in every conceivable way possible. First, the philosophy calls for every person of African descent to be aware that we belong to a common ancestry, share similar cultures and traditions, and more than most we are faced with similar adversities throughout the globe. Therefore, we all must be willing to unite and exercise patriotism towards Africa.

 

Second, the philosophy calls for unity in our government leadership, if possible, every nation-state of Africa should be willing to adopt a centralized governance under the African Union. Thirdly, and the most important call of all calls is that the African Union leadership and administration should be revolutionized without foreign or colonial interference. 

 

Finally, the philosophy calls for patriotic leadership across Africa. African leaders who take delight in mismanaging Africa’s resources, doing the colonial masters' bidding, and selling out countries to the highest bidders should be voted out. The worst tragedy as seen from a Pan-African angle of view is the interference of Africa’s leadership structure by former colonial forces to keep the continent disunited and disorganized.

 

Education of African people

Education is at the head of the list regarding key areas of interest in revolutionary Pan-Africanism. Every other setback facing the negro world, including leadership, can be corrected through genuine, thorough, and comprehensive education. Key concerns for many proponents of Pan-Africanism when it comes to education are somewhat divided. Some feel that Africa has not taken the lead in educating her people rather they are being educated by their former colonizers to be just but good and obedient servants. Others feel that Africa lacks what it takes to comprehensively educate her people therefore, the colonial masters should do it for them.

 

There is a clear distinction between education and institutionalization. Ever since the colonial forces stepped foot in Africa, they have been educating Africans, but that which is aimed at keeping Africa where it is, and not the education meant to uplift them to higher statuses. From where I sit, in the name of education the colonial masters have been institutionalizing Africans to think and act like them. Not be as great as them but to think that they are as great as them.

No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that knowledge will help set you free. 

 ~ Assata Shakur

 

Miss Shakur in her quote emphasizes the need for Africa to assume the responsibility of educating her own. Revolutionary Pan-Africanism calls for Africans to find African solutions to African problems. This must begin with the genuine education of our people. The colonizers have been educating Africans all over the continent. Nay, Africans have been following the colonial systems of education but that has proven not to be the solution to our question of emancipation. Africans need an Afrocentric educations system just like the Eurocentric one in Europe. 

 

Therefore, Africans must embark on self-education. Race leadership must outline the necessary curriculum needed to emancipate our people from the yolks of “old  mentality” colonization that is as of the 21st century happening through mental processes. Three areas of education must be solely executed by African leadership at all costs to realize total victory in the emancipation battle. 

 

They include; vocational and professional training to equip Africans with the necessary skills to find Afrocentric solutions to our problems. Religious and spiritual education of Africans to reverse the brainwashing by decolonizing the image and concept of God that has forever been presented to African people as Caucasian deities. Spiritual and religious education must be aimed at eradicating the inferiority complexes held deep down in African minds and to bring back Africans closer to their true divinity and spiritual enlightenment. 

 

Finally, education of African people on their true history. The colonization of Africans was only complete after our history was successfully colonized and locked behind the curtains of slavery. Therefore, revolutionary Pan-Africanism demands that Africa embark on learning and relearning their true history to seek the much-needed inspiration to uplift us from the lower status which we currently comfortably occupy. The first step towards self-identity is the knowledge of your history. Knowledge of history is the coveted road leading to self-empowerment.

 

Economic empowerment of African people

Africa is one of the areas from which almost every mineral resource the world needs to solve its problems is found. Therefore, it is very ironic that Africa’s nation-states' GDP are not the highest. Africa’s development is nearly not satisfying. And, a great score of African people have witnessed more poverty as the decades go by. Indeed, Africa’s leadership is lacking the capability to fully mobilize Africa’s resources to the benefit of its people. 

 

Economists and financial experts define economic empowerment as simply having the ability and courage to take direct responsibility and make and act on decisions involving regulation and allocation of resources. Such resources be they financial, human, man-made, or natural must be designed to address the issue of poverty within Africa’s motherland. 

 

For a long time now, Africa has depended on the outside world for finished products. On the contrary, the majority of the outside world depends on Africa for the needed raw materials. This type of transaction, as we have witnessed does not benefit our people. The former colonizers leasing our mineral reserves for ninety-nine or so years is a sign of modern-day dominance that Africa has willingly tolerated. It’s a shame that the majority of African states live off humanitarian aid, and depend on IMF and World Bank loans to fund their development when the continent is sitting on valuable resources. 

 

Revolutionary Pan-Africanism entails so much, notably finding Afrocentric solutions to our problems. Therefore, the kind of economic empowerment that Africa needs is that which has got Africa’s interest at heart. This empowerment must employ Afrocentric means to utilize Africa’s resources to eradicate poverty on the continent-wide front. No debate about that. Every economist is fully aware that this can be achieved by increasing access to economic resources and opportunities for all African people.  

 

Secondly, the Pan-African-centered economic empowerment must prioritize excellent development in areas such as infrastructure, social amenities, and food productivity. Needless to say, Afrocentric development must also entail environmental conservation. Finally, African leadership must take the lead in ensuring that the financial decision-making power is not influenced by foreign forces. On the other hand, the African people must be in a favorable position to access money, financial literacy, financial inclusion, etc., to foster self-reliance and growth.

 

Pan-African proponents and practitioners such as the late Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso warned us that, “He who feeds you, controls you.” Until Africa can take control of its resource basket, to benefit her people first before the outside world then can its leadership boast of economically empowering her subjects. Otherwise, Africa will continue to be the "international laugh off, poverty-stricken and underdeveloped" continent for eternity.

 

Technology and innovation

In the new age of technology, the majority of African people have come to entirely depend on foreign technological advances and innovative approaches. Revolutionary Pan-Africanism as a philosophy focused on finding Afrocentric solutions demands that Africa leaves nothing to chance or entirely in the hands of foreigners. Whereas technology is not the measure of the greatest civilization, it plays a fundamental role in modern-day livelihoods. 

 

The majority of African countries have all the requirements, from mineral resources to human skills necessary for the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes in the manufacturing and processing sectors. Therefore, technological advances, especially in sectors that determine and influence our livelihood must never be left in the hands of foreigners. It is a fallacy to assume that Africa lacks what it takes to match and compete with other global elites in technology and innovation. 

 

photo credits: Aljazeera

Africa's failure to take bold steps in technological advances has seen the majority of its people dependent on foreign technological prospects such as media, communication, industrial processes, etc. Almost every African state depends on foreign technology for their communication. This dependency leaves us vulnerable to espionage and covet and clandestine operations that uncover our weaknesses readily to be exploited by adversaries. 

 

For instance, the majority of Africans use media as their most essential means of communication. Contrarily, most of the media technologies are not owned or set up by African companies, this leaves us in a vulnerable position since media as a tool can be used in a variety of ways to suppress revolutions, educate and mis-educate, mislead, and more than most to create unnecessary chaos within our leadership structures.  

 

Minister Malcolm X warned us about the media by stating that;

The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power.

 

This a warning sign that if the African government does not take the lead in media application and regulation amongst our people, then enemies of Africa will use it as a Trojan Horse to further their agendas against our development and prospects. Additionally, if African leadership does not take control of the media in telling our own story, then the enemies will tell to us in a way that will in no way inspire our people. 

 

Revolutionary Pan-Africanism does not call for Africans to sideline technology or live in the darkness of communication. Nay! This philosophy demands that Africa takes part in developing these technologies, and regulate their use in ways that benefit our growth and prospects. Additionally, innovative approaches must be employed in Africa’s sectors to boost productivity at every level. If and when Africa takes independent actions in these fundamental areas, we will reduce the overdependence on Western technological approaches that are sometimes only aimed at promoting Western cultures and traditions.

 

The Bottom-line

Indeed, there is hardly any country that boasts of being a superpower that has its leadership structure largely influenced and controlled by foreign forces. Neither can readers supply examples of prospering economies in which their people are educated by foreigners and their economic prospects influenced by forces outside their borders. Every superpower country and the greatest performing economies do things their way and spearhead their developments [in a local influenced way but with a global outlook]. It neither means they seclude the rest of the entire world nor shun away form the good international communities. Instead, these nations know well that they must take the lead in critical areas that affect their people’s destinies. 

 

Contact Kisao via meta/call +254741377074 to grab a copy of the book POLITICIAN X (World Problem) and read more on factors influencing Africa in matters of History, Politics, religion and other sectors. You can also send an email today via kisaofidel.writer@theafrikanshujaa.com