African Nations’ Independence, Really!!!

by Hassirou Tall. Hassirou graduated from the Dpt. of Law Studies and Political Science at the University Cheikh A Diop of Dakar

In the 1960’s, many of the African nations gained their independence from their European occupants. There were high hopes, joy, and dreams that finally came true. The reign of the foreign belligerent had finally come to an end, and Africans would rule their countries according to their own will. But really, are we better off today than fifty years ago when we were dependent to Europeans?

What did our African leaders accomplish since our independence? More corruption! Yes. More Mismanagement! Of course. More division among its people! You bet. Less economic opportunities! Without doubt. So we ought to ask ourselves, after fifty years of so called “African independence”, where we stand as a continent and as a people. What’s obvious is that the African continent is still suffering, but now it’s the doing its own people. No more blaming the Europeans.

But what are the solutions to our problems though? After a half century, why is Africa still under developed? Why is it that the African continent cannot emerge from its tribulations? The solutions, no matter how efficient they will be, cannot come from any one person, any one group, or any one generation. The solutions to our problems, the solutions to the continent’s problems have to be a collection of ideas from all walks of life.

As a student, I see the first problem to tackle as education: that’s the basis of all durable development. We need more literate people, more educated people moving to a higher level. Most importantly, we need to keep those who attended universities, be it in Africa or elsewhere, to work for Africa. In a sense, we need to stop the “brain drain” of our intellectuals. Most of us who are privileged to go to a western university do not come back to work for Africa because of economic reasons, most of the time. And let me tell you “shame on us”. We should be going home to lend a hand to our continent. It’s not a waste, but an investment in ourselves, in our children, and in our continent.

Each generation that has passed so far has refused to bear the burden, to make the sacrifice needed for a better Africa. Each generation is putting it off until tomorrow. But for us, our conscience will not rest until we do the right thing—to make the sacrifice of going back after we amass some wealth and some knowledge, and put to work for Africa. Our generation has seen indefinite, merciless, and absurd wars between African countries, African people, and sometimes among different ethnic groups or religions. We have seen young people putting their live on the line just to be able to get out of the continent for better opportunities. We have seen starvation and the consequence of a wide spread illiteracy.

Our generation cannot just ignore its call to action! As students and future leaders of Africa, we should not sleep or rest until we find solutions to African problems. Our conscience will not let us replicate the same mistakes that have been crumpling Africa for fifty years.

My question to you is: do you really want to pass the burden to the next generation, or do you want to be strong and fight nail and tooth for Africa’s development? Are you ready for the challenges, or do you just want to lay low, and blame others? Show me what you got and stop the blame game. It is time to take responsibility for our own people and our own continent!