What Do Africans Owe Africa?
It is impossible to tell, with any degree of certainty, how Africa would have turned out without slavery and colonialism. All we can do is guess, make conjectures. Nonetheless, considering the fate of other peoples in other continents, and considering also the history of the continent, it is safe to say Africa too would have had its fair share of historical-unavoidables. Overall, one does not share in the excessive romanticism of the continent and its past; moreover, one does not have a hangover over slavery and colonialism. The time to move on has long gone.
Unfortunately, too many Africans -- encouraged by African leaders and continental elites, and some scholars -- have made it fashionable to blame slavery and colonialism for all that ills the continent. And then, there are the religious leaders who harp fatalism into the consciousness of their followers. And so it is that a sizeable number of Africans have refused to take personal responsibility for the continent’s failure and recklessness. Day in and day out, they wait for God or a Rawlings with a magical wand. In addition, they look to the West for direction and for handouts. How sad, how mistaken!
Africans themselves must take back their own continent; they must take back their own countries. The West can help, but for the most part, Africans must do the unthinkable and the painful to regain their world. As it is, Africans are afraid: they are afraid to sacrifice their conveniences and their lives, and are very much afraid to venture beyond the veil. This timidity is more pronounced in the post-independence generation -- a generation that is given to immediate gratification, laziness and gullibility.
Almost forty years after most African countries gained independence, the continent continues to have a striking resemblance to the Africa of the 18th and 19th century. Any wonder then that some commentators have insinuated that the continent was better off colonized? Indeed, in one country after another, the conditions are similar -- similarities that are manifested in low quality of life. In virtually every country, the average African has been betrayed by the intellectual class, the military cadre, and by the civil society (selling out to the oligarchy and to foreign agents).
What is the condition of things in Central Africa? Is life better for them today than it was three or four decades ago? In Cameroon, Paul Biya is milking his people dry just as other leaders do in Central African Republic, in DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo. Does anyone know what’s going on in East Africa? Save for Tanzania, the region has been a killing field for a while now. Southern Africa is getting messier by the day. The world is not sure of what to do with Robert Mugabe; and in South Africa, an alleged rapists/rogue is set to take over government. West Africa is dominated by a limping giant.
Virtually every African country lacks the fundamentals of development. They lack the infrastructure. These leaders create hell-on-earth knowing they and their kin can go overseas for education, for medical care and for all other necessities. Imagine what would happen if they and their family members were barred from travelling abroad. African leaders should be banned from those trips so they too can roast in the inhumane conditions they have created for their own people.
Of all the problems facing the African continent -- weak institutions and the crisis of governance, the enmity between the rulers and the governed, the inability to draw lines between public and private goods, preliterate and fatalistic citizenry, -- the question of leadership is the most pressing. Beginning with Ghana in 1957, to South Africa in 1994, contemporary Africa has not had more than five first-rate leaders. Since leadership is the bane of the continent, why not act on it?
In “What Does the World Owe Africa?” I suggested a series of steps to be taken by the Western world. Here and now, I am suggesting a series of steps to be taken by Africans to rescue their continent from misery and squalor. To begin with, “Chinese treatment” must be meted to corrupt officials. This will help stamp out crooked and nation-damaging behaviors. This method calls for the impartial probing of assets and the forfeiture of assets that were dubiously acquired followed by the physical elimination of the guilty so long as it is legally sanctioned. Why do we execute armed robbers? Why do we execute those who commit treason against the state? Simple: we do because their actions are heinous. If an armed robber steals $1,000.00 we execute him or send him to twenty years in prison; but when a politician steals $2,000,000.00 we turn blind eyes to his crime. As drastic as some of the proposed measures may sound, they are entirely necessary if Nigeria is to free itself from the abyss. They are crucial if we care about our welfare and about the type of society we want to bestow on future generations.
In addition, the legislature and the judicial ought to be revived and strengthened. The education and reeducation of the people and the introduction of a new political and governing system would be in order. Most Nigerians are weary and wary of the military establishment. Still, we ought to fashion a governing system that allows for both to coexist. For instance, the American or British style system does not augur well for Nigeria’s peculiar condition. The office and institution of traditional rulers should be abolished. These institutions have, in most cases, been a hindrance to development.
Also, Africans must consider taxing religious houses (save for the Traditional African Religions). Churches and Mosques are money making endeavors. Lagos State for instance could easily earn $50 million a year from the thousands of churches and mosques that litters the State. Revenues earned could be used to clean up the streets and ease traffic congestions.
From African Executive:
http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=3299&magazine=184
• Mr. Abidde, a PhD Candidate & Sasakawa Fellow, is with Howard University Washington DC. He can be reached at: Sabidde@yahoo.com
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We have to have a deep look at this vision about Africans developing Africa to its previous greatness. How will this be done, scientically? We have to deal with the different levels of expolitation and maliputation of the people and the resources of this continent. I was just looking at Fortures magazines top 500 companies in the world and Africa has 0. We overstand the issues but our approach to actually solving our challenges in our Mortherland must be built scientifically and we must be clear that the other "powers" of the world looks to Africa to see how much resources that they can get for the least investment in the human and infactures development. Europeans, Chinese, Indians, Russians, Saudis, etc will never investment in the empowerment of African people period. Never. It will take visionary, organized, defensive, and systematic peoples who really care about the history, culture and humanity of the African nation.
In my opinion, the first part of the equation will be the building of unity consciousness among the Diaspora Africans who resides outside of the actual continent. Africans in US, Europe, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, South America must unify and coordinate. It will be this group who will work with the leaders of the different African counties to bring honorable and effective leadership to the people. Dr. King has a famous quote which I apply to my building process " There are Negroes who will never fight for freedom. There are Negros who will seek profit for themselves from the struggle. There are some Negroes who will cooperate with their oppressors. The hammer blows of discrimination, poverty, and segregation must warp and corrupt some. No one can pretend that because a people may be oppressed, every individual member is virtuous and worthy." Africa has a few men who are these warp and corrupt. Therefore we must deal with them before we ever empower the African continent. This has to be done while all the other powers has a expolitative mindset toward our Motherland. However, our genius can handle it.
In the eve of August 2008 Marcus Garvey, UNIA-ACL African Heritage Month and Black August we all need to face the reality all Africans and those of African descent owe Africa everything. The time to cast away all Fear, hold our ownselves accountable, and practive the highest form of integrity is now. Yes the system of white supremacy is responsible and so are we for our current conditions and state in the world. We have succumed to mental and economic slaves in a world gone drunk with corruption and evel wicked oppression. Despite the external causes, we must look internally to find the solutions to resolve all our problems. The Right Excellant Marcus Mosiah Garvey not only warned us, he led the manifestation of a solid black print for Africans at home and abroad to rise and reclaim our traditional and ancient heritage and birthright. We can, we must, we will utilize our own superconsciousness and spiritual ancestral legacy to Sankofa. The 21st century is here and we still find ourselves cahsing after the wrong ways and means to unify and advance. far to many of us are still either emulating the european world or afraid of it, thereby still lost in knowing our true selves. This is going to be a difficult task for those who have come to know enough of themselves to led by example and stop giving the system of white supremacy our internal power. Africa lost one of the greatest natural resources long ago Africans captured and taken throughtout the world to build it for others. In the mid 1950's Guns, Greed and Genocide was manifested all throughout Africa and still to this very day in 2008 continues. The National Security Standard Memoramdums 200 and 201 (Presidents Eisenhower to Bush usa foreign policy) released by Del Walters shares the story in clear terms. Visit www.3peweb.com to get the dvd "Apocalypse Africa" (made in amerikkka) to get the details yourself. What we must do is tape into our higher power inwardly and stop seeking solutions outside of ourselves. We have come to except metal slavery and economic slavery, yet Garvey ws right Man can do what man has done. Up You Mighty Race We Can Accomplish Waht We Will! Yes, Yes, Yes we all owe Africa and must return with the correct mind set to build up Africa our own vine and fig tree to its traditional greatness. We don't need rulers, but true leaders like Garvey, Malcolm, Lumumba etc. The vehicle we still need today all over the world is the UNIA-ACL government and confarternity. Our people must return to self reliance and self determination by studying books Ancient Future by Wayne Chandler, Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, Message to the People by Marcus Garvey, Race First by Tony Martin, and the many, many other great books guiding us back to ourselves. We all must demonstarte the highest form of respect and integrity for those who have demonstarted a committment to practice true Pan African Nationalism around the world. We must practice being unselfish and take the skills we have gain back home to Africa and build pure water systems, solar energy means, create both educational and health stations to serve our people. In other words we must provide the means for our on advancement and upliftment and encourage our brothers and sisters back home to leave the western world and ways alone. First we must do for ourselves by practical demonstration in our own living surroundings. In far to many cases we have become our own enemy and do the works of the system of white supremacy by fighting our own selves. The time is now to hold our own selves accountable for the conditions we allow ourselves to remain in. Our Bro. Amos Wilson's book Black Power needs to be read and read and re-read for us to know true Black Power and how to regain it. I could go own and own, however the fact is we owe Africa our lives and once we come to see the truth we must go back home and re-build Africa to its traditional greatness, nevcer being content with the food of chickens. Garvey's returned in the whirlwind with our ancestors. Up You Mighty Race We Can Accomplish What We Will!
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In my opinion, the first part of the equation will be the building of unity consciousness among the Diaspora Africans who resides outside of the actual continent. Africans in US, Europe, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, South America must unify and coordinate. It will be this group who will work with the leaders of the different African counties to bring honorable and effective leadership to the people. Dr. King has a famous quote which I apply to my building process " There are Negroes who will never fight for freedom. There are Negros who will seek profit for themselves from the struggle. There are some Negroes who will cooperate with their oppressors. The hammer blows of discrimination, poverty, and segregation must warp and corrupt some. No one can pretend that because a people may be oppressed, every individual member is virtuous and worthy." Africa has a few men who are these warp and corrupt. Therefore we must deal with them before we ever empower the African continent. This has to be done while all the other powers has a expolitative mindset toward our Motherland. However, our genius can handle it.
In short our sweat, blood and tears!
Abibifahodie
Senghor Jawara Baye