50th anniversary of african independences: What went wrong?

Most African nations are marking the 50th anniversary of their independences this year, at least 17 African countries are celebrating their half century independence this year.  But while some countries are prosperous, some still remains in a state of chaos and despair.

We have seen period of accelerating growth were some African nations were thriving economically, socially and culturally, but towards the end of the 20th century something definitely went wrong and had had a reverse growth in the continent of Africa.   That something that went wrong is what we intend to discuss in this article.   The so-called report card is in and we have graded Africa with a D- as a whole.  What went wrong after 50 years of independence?  What are some of the causes?  Who really are behind the causal failure of Africa and what can be done to change the present state of affairs?

 

AFRICAN INDEPENDENCES

Flags of some African countries
Cameroon - January 1

Sudan - January 1

Chad - January 11


Gambia - February 18



Morocco - March 3


Mauritius - March 12


Senegal - April 4


Zimbabwe - April 18


Sierra Leone - April 27


Togo - April 27

Tunisia - June 1

Mozambique - June 25

Madagascar - June 26

Djibouti - June 27

Republic of Congo - June 30

Democratic Republic of Congo

Burundi - July 1

Rwanda - July 1

Somalia - July 1

Malawi - July 6

Sao Tome and Principe - July 12

Egypt - July 23

Ethiopia - July 23

Liberia - July 26










This page focuses primarily on the period that came after most African nations gained their independences. By independence we mean the gift of one nation to be able to govern itself and be free of any manipulation and ill-treatment from other nations.

Ironically, many African nations were FREE and INDEPENDENT way before colonization started. Colonization in fact was just a harsh period of history, which I would like to term the 'Dark Ages of African History' that was carried out by greedy and cunning nations, seeking resources for the betterment of their way of lives, and judiciously executed to limit freedom of one nation that has already been FREE.

Henceforth, Independence of any nation is intrinsically interwoven with its colonial period. Therefore, the future and sustainability of any African nation that had gone through this harsh treatment must be analyzed in relationship to its former colonialist state. The authenticity of an independence depends entirely on the relationship between a colonized nation and a colonist state.

People like to weigh the good things versus the bad things that colonization brought to Africa as a whole. I really think that this too is an erroneous way of thinking. Whether or not colonization took place, what happened was going to happen any way. There were already countless encounters between Africa and Europeans, and many African leaders from way back in the 14th century were already traveling to Europe on state-sanctioned trip to reinforce bilateral relations. Cultural exchanges, and technological exchanges were going to happen one way or the other. Therefore, colonization must be regarded forever as being WRONG and UNJUSTIFIABLE. One can not justify an evil thing by trying to cite the goods that came out of executing that evil thing.

Let us remember that the true discussion here is really about post-colonial period and what to make of it. We are going back to the colonial period to explain that those who contrived colonization in the first place had their own reasons that reason itself know. If we comprehend those reasons, then we can begin to understand the nature of African independences and their strengths. How can one really grant to another independence when the reason that propelled him or her to carry out his cunning ways haven't gone away? Allow me to say that African nations who were granted their independences in the 60s are really independents. This is so true because those nations have already been independent in the FIRST place. It was just a social mechanism that was put in place that limited their freedom in all ways and manners. Once independent, they tried to govern themselves and take their own future in hands. Right off the bat, newly independent African nations found themselves in another era that we now colloquially term 'Neo-Colonization' - whether this term is true or false will entirely depend on the relationship between a former colony and its former ruler. If the reasons that got the former ruler to seek to colonize this latter still exists, it's possible that the former ruler may have contrived a new way to keep limiting this newly free nation's freedom in other ways.

This is where our discussion begins: this year 17 African nations celebrate their independences, and we are called upon to turn in the report card of each of those Africa nations for the past 50th year of their independences. The accusations will be shared between African nations and their European colonists, and they are ALL equally guilty of crimes against humanity due to numerous atrocities committed directly or indirectly under their blessings, or their disregards, while they had their own interests in minds. The relationship between nations have already been dreadful ever since the dawn of civilization and they aren't going to change now. But the aim of this discussion will be to show without bias what's going on, and to seek cooperation between nations so as to advance humanitarian causes in Africa. There are plenty of resources in Africa so can't we all get along and share those resources together without more bloods being shed, or more deaths being endured by the people of Africa. (Please, read the next piece for further readings...)