There is at least two generations currently engaged in the battle to transform Africa and both think of this transformation in terms of liberation. The major difference between them is that they think about the liberation of Africa in different ways. For the old guard, the reference point for the liberation of Africa is colonialism. For them, Africa's main problem is colonialism or neo-colonialism/imperialism. At least they pretend that that is Africa's main problem. This group includes most of those who are currently very active in the politics of various African countries. However, for the new guard, liberation refers to the liberation of African countries from the misrule of the old guard. They do not see African problems primarily in colonial or neo-colonial terms. For them, Africa is capable of taking its destiny into its own hands and the failure to do so cannot be attributed to colonialism or neo-colonialis; it is rather attributed to the deliberate misrule of the current ruling class. The new guard think that contemporary Africa could measure up to any other region in the world if the appropriate political and economic policies were in place. The new guard is made up largely of those who are not politicians; they are largely activists and entrepreneurs. Their vision, however, cannot be realized under old guard politics. Therein lies the struggle. The two cannot and must not mix because the old guard has developed some bad habits that are difficult to overcome. Their worldview is very antithetical to Africa's flourishing in the contemporary world; they can only be removed. But the new guard does not appear to have the capacity to remove them because the old guard is deeply entrenched in current African milieus. In fact, few of the new guard currently reside in African countries. While some of them are just returning to their home countries after many years working or studying abroad, others still ply their trades abroad even as they establish businesses in Africa. One thing their experience abroad has taught them is that African countries can be and must be much better than they currently are. But they cannot do this only through entrepreneurship or activism. Therein lies another problem.
2 comments:
This description of the old guard vs. new guard sounds a lot like the "hippos" and "cheetahs" discussed in the George Ayittey video. It is interesting to see how students returning to Africa will respond to the condition of their home countries. Will they choose to implement new changes or will they leave again to find work in a more agreeable environment? I hope they will see the powerful part they can play in calling up Africa to a higher standard.
The Old Guard, while outdated, is stubborn. Their determination to keep control is very serious. One of the main problems with the old guard, referred to as politicians, is that they are NOT politicians. They are vultures who wish to keep colonialism as the blame for problems so they may continue to terrorize off the rest of the world. The New Guard has the right idea: and you can see they did not learn it from the leaders of *Corrupt Africa. They are bringing in foreign ideas of progression into the mix and producing a mixed methodology (intellect + Africa).
The way to effective progression, not possible through activism by the New Guard, is for these foreign (but correctly formulated) ideas to be nurtured through Africans who bring them from afar, showing the civilians of the continent what more is possible. With education of the masses, uprisings can occur and leadership for the people can ensue.
The reason past military coups with the people in mind don’t work is that there is not total civilian backing behind such coups. The leaders of opposition are not elected and made to be part of the revolt, rather the militants revolt on behave of the populations. Thus, the militant leaders, while For the People, are still seen as Big Man leaders, Not one with the people. The New Guard, with their intellect in the adoption of progressive ideology, I'm sure will realize education is necessary and eventually implement such measures to bring the country in consensus of opposition- to make all feel as if they are part of the solution.
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