Pan-African Solidarity: A New Era of Unity and Empowerment

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Africa, the second largest continent on Earth is endowed with all kinds of resources that is attainable on the planet, only a few are not found on the continent— or have not been discovered yet. This large mass of land hosts 54 countries, consisting of more than 1.4 billion people, making up 17.89% of the world’s population, according to Worldometer. Yet, it struggles to unify the different peoples that makes up the great continent thus the need for Pan-African  solidarity.


Black Power and African Unity

The Challenges of the African Continent 

As far as it can be ascertained, the African continent is not united, despite the fact that the different people in Africa experiences the same struggle and shares a common heritage. The disunity in Africa is evident in the international policies between African countries. For instance, it is easier for a European to travel across Africa with a Schengen passport than for an African born in Africa to travel within the continent with their national passport.  The lack of a unified African passport and the limited progress towards visa-free travel among African countries  further exacerbates this problem. There is need for greater integration and cooperation among African nations. 


What’s more, trade between and among African nations is negligible. Instead, African countries prioritise trade with external partners like China, the United States, the UK, India and the rest of Europe and Asia. This lack of infra-African trade hinders the continent’s development and growth, as well as that of its people.


The continent is still in the throes of colonialism. In spite of some countries having gained independence for decades, colonial influence is still clearly visible. Some nation's leaders have become puppet presidents, controlled by the whims of their former colonial masters. This phenomenon, known as neocolonialism, persists despite over 50 years of independence. For many African countries, self-determination remains an elusive dream, as their political, economic, and social destinies are still heavily influenced by external powers. A people who cannot shape their own destiny are ill-prepared to secure their future. To thrive and achieve their desired future, the African continent must resolutely resist colonialism, imperialism, and neocolonialism in all their manifestations.


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Political instability seems to be like an anthem in Africa. Indeed, every nation has its challenges, but the level of political instability has made so many countries in Africa to remain stagnant in its political and economic development. Elections held to vote for the leaders to lead the countries are marred by violence, electoral malpractices or both. The leaders in power of some African nations are clueless, power-drunk, greedy and incompetent to lead their nations to where they ought to be. Some of these leaders are also puppets; heavily under the influence of their former colonial masters. For Africa to thrive, political stability is essential. It is those who wield power in a nation that steer it either towards fulfilling its destiny or into chaos. Leaders play a crucial role in shaping a nation's future, and their decisions can make or break a country's progress.


Pan-African Solidarity 

Pan-Africanism is a movement that lays emphasis on the unity, solidarity and empowerment of the African. It is not limited to only the people in Africa, but of every person of African descent worldwide. Pan-Africanism is geared  towards promoting African cultures, histories and the African identity. It also seeks to address the social, economic and political challenges facing African communities worldwide.


Pan-Africanism has its roots in the 19th century, it however gained momentum in the early 20th century with the Universal Negro Improvement Association(UNIA). This was founded by the great Jamaican political activist and black nationalist leader, Marcus Garvey. Other notable figures who have contributed to the movement in time past are Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Malcom X and Angela Davis both of the United States of America.


An Africa united by the shared experiences of black culture and history, where self-determination empowers people to shape their political, economic, and social destiny, and anti-colonialism and social justice thrive - this is the Africa that black liberation icons like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X fought for. It is the Africa that Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned, and for which our ancestors sacrificed their lives. This Africa is within reach. Africans must work together to make it a reality.


An Era of Unity and Empowerment 

Pan-Africanism even in modern times is tackled with the responsibility of dealing with racism and discrimination, economic inequality, political marginalization, cultural erasure and the African in diaspora relations. 


In spite of the efforts that have been made by individuals and governments all over the world, including the United Nations, racism and discrimination against black people irrespective of their countries is still  very strong worldwide. A United Africa, putting well-thought  strategies into place can tackle these issues more effectively. A human should not be discriminated because of the colour of their skin. 


Economic inequality remains a pressing issue in Africa, where the wealthy continue to accumulate riches while the poor struggle with poverty and extreme poverty. The continent's resources are exploited, plundered, and stolen through deceit and corruption by those in power as well as external powers, leaving Africans with minimal benefits. These are pressing concerns that require a collective effort to address effectively.


Cultural erasure is a growing threat to the cultural identity of the African. The African culture, history and identity is systematically being removed and distorted. Cultural practices and traditions  are suppressed, historical facts and narratives of the African people are manipulated by external powers. This has to be addressed immediately. Africans are not a people without culture and history. The African history didn’t’t begin with slavery or colonialism. 


Africans in diaspora need not abandon the continent and its people. Rather they should strive and build a better relationships with the various African countries as well as with the people in these countries. It is at this critical moment that the Africans in diaspora are greatly needed. Though they may not be able to really trace what part of Africa their ancestors came from, they are of African origin and the land of Africa itself embraces them.


In the 21st century, there is a dire need for Pan-African solidarity. As stated by the great Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe, quoting William Butler Yeats; “[when] things fall apart, the centre cannot hold”, the unity of Africans and people of African origin all over the world is very important. An era of unity in thought and action would bring about empowerment of the African people, economic and social development, political stability, social justice and overall, an Africa who’s people can determine its glorious future and work towards attaining it.


[Written by Joshua Imoikor, a passionate environmental advocate and sustainability expert with a background in Geography and Environmental Management, from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.]


Reference

Worldometer. 2024. Population of Africa(2024).


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