All of Africa, except for Saharawi, has long shed the colonial yoke which, according to the nationalists, was an impediment to development and self-determination. Yet, after decades of independence and despite abundant resources, the continent appears to be spiralling back to the conditions of the colonial era—and, in some cases, to even worse circumstances.
The ideals and visions once advocated by the early activists for the masses have largely disappeared and no longer seem to matter. The noble aspirations of development and independence, as articulated by nationalists under oppressive colonial regimes, are today being trampled upon by the very politicians who once cherished them.
What appears to matter now is that the leader alone has access to and control over every aspect of government and national resources, and is consequently worshipped as an icon of independence, even when their actual role is minimal.
How does one explain a situation where, in a land of plenty, almost half of the youth are unemployed and have lost hope of securing decent jobs, despite possessing the required qualifications? The irony is that the relatives of the nationalists who once campaigned for equal opportunities are now fully employed, while other young people struggle to make a living. It should be shameful for any patriotic leader to witness such widespread youth unemployment and despair, particularly when jobs could be created to accommodate them.
When young people question the status quo—if they dare to—the authorities often dismiss and intimidate them, accusing them of being used by imperialists.
Yet, in reality, many African political leaders have themselves acted as stooges of the West, serving on their payrolls and providing them with security information about Africa. In many cases, imperial powers continue to share the continent’s resources with the political elite, while maintaining control over political and economic systems.
This dependency between the former coloniser and the semi-liberated state renders the latter vulnerable to corruption, tempting leaders to cling to power and refuse to step down even when they have lost popular support. To maintain control, such leaders manipulate elections, rigging the results without shame.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Chinua Achebe have observed that, soon after independence, African leaders began making excuses—claiming that the “proverbial hut” was too small to accommodate everyone and that others should wait their turn to “warm themselves.” Unfortunately, this turn never comes, as the political elite continually manipulate elections and suppress opposition to remain in power indefinitely. The same politicians who once condemned colonial rulers for torture and oppression are now willing to kill those who challenge their authority.
Africa has witnessed many leaders who remained in office until their deaths, under the pretext that they alone could hold their nations together. Some even adopted grandiose titles such as Life President, Eternal Leader, Father of the Nation (Baba wa Taifa), or Wamuyayaya (Forever and Ever). Yet, times have changed, and the youth are increasingly demanding their rightful place in governance. It can no longer be business as usual.
Whether educated or not, many African leaders succumb to a syndrome of political egotism believing they have been divinely endowed with eternal wisdom to rule. The Animal Farm scenario soon follows, where some begin to feel they are “more equal than others”, despite having fought alongside their comrades for the same ideals during colonial times. This obsession with remaining in power indefinitely has cost many politicians their credibility, and in some cases, their lives. The intoxicating sweetness of power ensnares them, trapping them within the comfort of their offices and privileges.
This complacency, while the youth struggle to survive, could have been addressed through an effective and relevant education system. Although Africa is richly endowed with natural resources, most young people lack the technical skills to add value to them, as they were never trained in those fields. Political leaders have repeatedly failed to reform the education system after independence to make it relevant to national needs.
Multinational companies exploit this gap, often bringing in foreign labour under the guise of a skills shortage.
Even where Africans possess the necessary qualifications, nepotism and ethnic bias often disqualify deserving candidates. This remains one of the continent’s greatest tragedies.
Prof. Makala Lilembaacademic, author, diplomat, motivational leader, researcher and scholar.