Isn’t African a necessity? I’ve read fascinating works about Africa from historians, journalists, and leaders cum philosophers. Four books particularly stand out for me, although some date as far back as the 1960s: Africa must Unite (1963) by Kwame Nkrumah and The Wretched of The Earth (1961) by Frantz Fanon.  Their calls are as still alive and relevant to Africa as though they were written yesterday! The other two: The State of Africa; A History of the Continent since Independence (2005) by Martin Meredith; and Africa: Altered States Ordinary Miracles (2008) by Richard Dowden all offer unequivocal analyses of not only the fatal errors and divisive strategies of Colonialism but also the predatory, selfish and myopic mentalities of most of Africa’s post independence leaders / puppets that perpetuated neocolonialism to-date!

Reading through these books, one discovers the cruel harm the Scramble and Partition of Africa – and sadly, religion, did not only to the unity and solidarity of Africans but also in demonizing the great artisan works and undermining both the continent’s great natural and human potential. Africans were divided along religious, tribal/ethnic and political lines and their minds turned away from realizing how great they and their Continent were. Subsequently, Africans have been living in perennial alienation from their own culture and identity, perceiving and preferring everything European (or foreign for contemporary times usage) as superior to what’s indigenous. They bleach their Melanin-rich complexion and adorn their heads with manufactured long silk weaves or braids to look like Whites! Fanon castigates such mentality in his book: Black Skins, White Masks, originally published in French as: “Peau Noire, Masques Blancs” in 1952.

The brain-washing of Africans about their own potential is today manifest in the failed departure from colonial mentalities and systems; ignorance of the fact that Africa can explore, develop her enormous natural and human potential, and failure to empower her citizenry to proffer radical and robust solutions to local challenges. It is also seen in religio-politico polarization which undermine African fraternity, unity and solidarity.

Can we develop amidst divisions? Do we ever wonder what benefits come with 50 States of America being united into one nation? How about the 26 Schengen countries of the European Union? Do we not know that before mental borders of 1844 Africa, now 54 countries were one block nation? Although, like in families, some minor differences perhaps prevailed, they wouldn’t still have been detrimental to general unity! To transform, Africa must rise above socio-political trivialities, harness our enormous potential and realize African Union!

By Patrick Katagata

The author  patkatagata@gmail.com is Member of the African Potential Forum from Buhweju, in Western Uganda, and Institute for National Transformation (Uganda) Almnus.