Pan-Africanism and the West: What meaning do we give to it?

Pan-Africanism is defined as the principle or advocacy of the political union of all the indigenous inhabitants of Africa. Wikipedia define 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 who have claimed tight to power have tilted this definition to their favour to continue holding grip to power. To most of them, being 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 youth 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 country with others economically and otherwise.

Everything has been dumped in the doors of the west. 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 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 of the true meaning of Pan-Africanism?

A good friend of mine Kuchah Christian Kum, a government base High School Teacher 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"

I think before the trumpets blowers of President Mugabe and his likes start blowing their views, I think we must recognise that these persons have given their best to Africa and their Country and it is time to step at side.

God is still saying something.