Pan-Africanism is defined as the principle or advocacy of the political union of all the indigenous inhabitants of Africa. Wikipedia defines it more clearly as an ideology and movement that encourages the solidarity of Africans worldwide.It is based on the belief that unity is vital to economic, social, and political progress and aims to “unify and uplift” people of African descent.The ideology asserts that the fate of all African peoples and countries are intertwined. At its core Pan-Africanism is “a belief that African peoples, both on the continent and in the diaspora, share not merely a common history, but a common destiny.
However, of recent African dictators and most Presidents who have claimed tight to power have tilted this definition in their favour to continue holding grip to power. To most of them, being vocal against the West and turning to Russia or China is Pan-Africanism. To some saying anything against France is Pan-Africanism. These dictators have brainwashed most African youths and people to believe that they upheld Pan Africanist principles whereas they do not. Their people are under subjugation daily. They cannot even come to common grounds to link up their countries with other African countries economically and otherwise. Most Africans and media in Africa are buying into this crap. This is dangerous because African leaders have found a better way of continuing their dynasty. To say or be against the West is not Pan-Africanism. This is being derailed.
Africans now dumped and blamed everything at the doors of the West. Yes, the West got its role in Africa especially when it comes to economic interest but we cannot keep blaming the West for our problems. When African Presidents failed, they blame it on the West. What stops them forming a strong powerful block to stand up to the West and their games? Africa own a lot of resources and it is the new home of the world, why not use this as a bait? No country is an Island. What stops them from forming a powerful political Union? Integration between neighbouring African countries is still a farce.
Make no mistake, the West have done their worst in Africa, they still do, however, a United and strong Africa can challenge them. Politics is all about the interest of various nations. Can our leaders rise up to this challenge? Should we continue to blame the West and not engage to hold our leaders responsible? Have we really lost touch with the true meaning of Pan-Africanism?
Angelbert Nde, 2018 Cameroon Parliamentary candidate picked holes with Cameroonians supporting the dynasty of Ali Bongo in the Saturday 27th August Presidential elections to demonstrate how Africans have been losing it when it comes to Pan-Africanism. He wrote ” Why are Cameroonians -who condemn Biya’s longevity in power – supporting the 50-year hegemony of the Bongo family? Why are Cameroonians supporting the replacement of long-serving CEMAC presidents by their sons? How can we understand that Ali Bongo is now celebrated as a pan-Africanist leader? Who is a pan-Africanist? Is it enough to pay a few media outlets to blow you out as such? It must be noted that Ali Bongo has been married twice. His first wife was American; and his second and current, french! So what then is the right definition of a pan-African? Now, since Ali Bongo has become a pan-Africanist overnight by Cameroonian standards, is that blank cheques for electoral fraud? Why are we prone to supporting election riggers who desecrate their people? Is it possible to be pan-Africanists and to feed on the flesh of your people? It must be noted that Paul Biya was the first destination of Ali Bongo after his first controversial election seven years back. ”
Kuchah Christian Kum, a government based High School Teacher in Bamenda had this to say : “How this old breed of deranged Czars managed to drug their youth into retrogressive pan-Africanism, only the devil can tell. The West has become the common victim of our inertia and backwardness. Biya and his click syphon billions of our nation’s wealth, yet African-media and the likes would prefer to waste airwaves gossiping about how France wants Biya out. How Biya and his dancing wizards like Mugabe suddenly became heroes beats my imagination”
President Mugabe has done his best for his country but the Country economy is in a mess, yet everything is blame on the West, I refuse to lay all those blames elsewhere. We must recognise that these persons have given their best to Africa and their Country and it is the time they step aside. They should not hold Africans hostage in a new found love of Pan-Africanism which is not even close to the real definition and intentions the founders had when developing such.
Africans and Cameroonians must rise above this.
God is still saying something.
NB: This article was first published on November 4th, 2015. It has been edited on August 30th, 2016 to suit current trends
