AFRICA! My Afrika

“United we must. Without necessarily sacrificing our sovereignties, we can forge a political union based on defence, foreign affairs and diplomacy, and a common citizenship, an African currency, a monetary zone and central bank. We must unite in order to achieve the full liberation of our continent.” – Kwane Nkrumah

To me, this powerful statement means that as an African, I need to strive for and embody characteristics that will align me to exuding and implementing true African attributes of solidarity. Furthermore, striving for unity amongst Africans should not necessarily mean that one has to sacrifice his sovereignty but rather to debunk or disassociate consistent attempts by western variables to influence the definition of an African identity. We need to rise as one organ formed by the AU, and not only be hearers of African unity but be doers of its definition. Moreover, we need to take African matters into our own hands so as to achieve the full liberation of our continent from western manipulation. In addition, we should renounce cultural division amongst African people through the creation of antagonistic blocs by external western influences. African union is an organ that stands against artificial borders and against language barriers formed through Anglophone, francophone and Lusophone by colonizers.

I believe Africa is one language spoken by one people from one organ, hence African Freedom Day or Africa Day must trigger and awaken in all Africans the zeal to tell our stories and own our problems and come up with solutions to bettering this great continent, and refuting African stories written by others. In conclusion, let Africa day mean that it’s time to protect our resources and implement our great ideas in this continent of Milk and honey.

Thoughts by :

Bichang Abbie Edriopa TheALI YFL (Democratic Republic of Congo)