THE VISION OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS

The later of 19th century and the 20th century marked an era of decolonization in Africa and time for development to fit into the modern world. The two world wars in the 1900s as a factor that weakened major European powers preceded the liberation of Africa.

The conclusion of World War II gave access to all colonial territories in Africa to gradually obtain formal independence. Apart from Liberia and Ethiopia that were not colonized, the remaining Africa under White man rule began to have freedom from 1950.

Lybia, a former Italian colony gained independence in 1951. In 1956, Tunisia and Morocco won their independence from France. Ghana followed suit the next year (1957) becoming the first of the sub-Saharan colonies to be granted independence. Over the next decade, waves of decolonization took place across the continent, culminating in the 1960 Year of Africa and the establishment of the Organization of African Unity in 1963.

The days of decolonization and independence of African states was a rebirth for the continent; a rise from the left overs of scramble. One must appreciate the fact that this rebirth was not a mere incidence. It happened not by chance but on the virtue of determined africans- who through thier fight, sweat, blood and toil freed the continent. They are the people refered as the Founding Fathers.

You may ask: 'Who are the founding fathers? what was their vision? What was their fate and how successful were they in their struggle for the regeneration of Africa?

The founding fathers of the African continent serdom refer to the men and women who in their capacity stood out and fought for the liberation of the continent from the clutches of slavery, colonization and imperialism, and gave independence to the nations of Africa.

They were men who went through thick and thin to see liberty for many. They sacrificed their whole lives, comfort and well earned living to take up the burden of their nations, stood in the corners and on high hills of the continent, raising their voices to speak against white domination in Africa and struggling for freedom.

When we talk about these founding fathers, we normally think about the 32 heads of independent African states who gathered on the momentous and historic day of May 25, 1963 to sign the charter of the Organization of African Union (OAU) and the other leaders who fought for the independence of their nations after 1963.

Indeed these men duly deserve the honor as fathers of Africa yet they only represent a fraction of the heroes that spearheaded the liberation of Africa. Before we talk about the fathers who signed the charter, it is worthy to mention few of some individuals who pioneer the drive who are hardly mentioned when sharing light on the works of the founding fathers.

Some of these individuals were kings, businessmen or merchants, military men, religious leaders, philosohers, early scholars in Africa and even brave ordinary men that contributed one way or the other for the independence of Africa.

One of the individuals who is rarely talked about when we examine the history of africans who participated in the liberation of the continent is a brave South African whose early works formed the foundation for the fight for independence, Pixley Ka Isaka Seme.

Pixley Ka Isaka Seme

Seme was one of the founders of the African National Congress. He delivered one of the greatest speeches ever delivered by an african in the University of Columbia in 1906 titled 'the regeneration of Africa'.

He delivered this speech as a student in the University, at a time where almost all of Africa was under colonization and his piece of writing was to inform africans to rediscover ourselves and that Africa should move a notch higher in order to find her pride of place amongst the committee of nations.

The works and ideas of Seme was later picked and developed by another early thinker whom we hardly recognize as a founding father, James Emmans Kwegyir Aggrey of Ghana, normally refered as Aggrey of Africa. He was a missionary and teacher, the first Vice Principal of Ghana's Achimota College.

He later became a Pan-Africanist, who traveled by sea to many African nations preaching decolonization of the continent. He is said to be one of the inspirers who influenced young men that later fought for indipendence such as Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

The contributions of individuals like John Mensah Sarbah and Joseph Casely Hayford, who were lawyers from Ghana cannot escape mention when we talk about founding fathers. People such as Ahmedu Bello, first Premier of Northern Nigeria who unified the northeen part of the country, Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria, royals such as Yaa Asantewaa, queen mother of Ejisu, then Asante empire in Ghana and Nana Agyemang Prempeh II, Asantehene all contributed to the liberation of their individual nation thereby giving independence to Africa.

It is instructive therefore that these individuals are acknowledged as founding fathers in history are discussed vis-á-vis discussing the fathers that signed the charter for African unity and their steering vision.

What was their Vision?

On May 25, 1963, thirty-two (32) heads of independent African states met in Addis Ababa at the invitation of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia to deliberate the independence and unity of Africa. A conference that lead to the formation of the Organization of African Union (OAU) later renamed African Union (AU) in 2002.

His Imperial Majesty Hail Salassie I.

These leaders who were at the front of the fight for independence of their nations are the popular founding fathers that everyone is familiar with. They include Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria, His Majesty Mwami Mwambutsa IV, king of Burundi, Ahmadou Ahidjo of then Federal Republic of Cameroon,

David Dacko of Central African Republic, Ghana's Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Francois Tombalbaye of Republic of Chad, Fulbert Youlou of Congo (Brazzaville), Joseph Kasavuba of Republic of Congo (Leopoldville), Hubert Maga of Republic of Dahomey (Benin), the Republic of Gabon's Leon Mba, Sekou Toure of the Republic of Guinea, Houphouet Biogny of Ivory Coast, Repulic of Liberia's Williams V.S. Tubman,

His Royal Highness Hassan Riba, crown prince who represented His Majesty King Idris I and head of the Liyan Delegation, Philibert Isiranana of Malagasy Republic, Mali's Modibo Keita, Moktar Ould Daddah of Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Niger's Hamani Diori, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, then Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, Leopold Sedar Senghor of Senegal,

Milton Margai of Sierra Leone, Aden Abdulla Osman of Somali Republic, Tsehafi Tezaz Aklilou Habtewold, then Prime Minister of Ethiopia, El-Fariki Ibrahim Abboud of Republic of Sudan, Julius Nyerere of Republic of Tanganyika (Tanzania), Uganda's Milton Obote, Habib Bourguiba of Republic of Tunisia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of United Arab Republic of Egypt, Maurice Yameogo of the Republic of Upper Volta (Burkina Faso)

Habemeushi, minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda representing H.E. Gregoire Kayibanda and Mr. Ajuma Oringa-Odinga representing the African National Liberation Movements in Non-Independent territories. These 32 delegates and other fathers who gave independence to their nations after 1963 meeting including Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Burkina Faso's Thomas Sankara, who later fought France neo-colonialism and bad governance and similar leaders all shared one common vision.

According to Prof. PLO Lumumba of Kenya, the vision of the fore-fathers was a United Africa. The vision of the fathers was to deliver the continent from imperialism and colonization which swept the whole continent by European nations and get all states to form a unitary force.

This vision of united Africa is embodied in the speeches that each one of them delivered during the meeting in Addis Ababa including that of the chairman of the conference, Emporer Haile Selassie I. He said in his speech that "Today, we look to the future calmly, confidently and courageously. We look to the vision of an Africa not merely free but united. In facing this new challenge, we can take comfort and encouragement from the lessons of the past.

We know that there are differences among us. Africans enjoy different cultures, distinctive values, special attributes. But we also know that unity can be and has been attained among men of the most disparate origins, that differences of race, of religion, of culture, of tradition, are no insuperable obstacle to the coming together of peoples. History teaches us that unity is strength and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength, for path to true African brotherhood and unity."

Unity was the goal of the founding fathers, for Africa to realise her potential and find a place in the committee of nations it must be united. "But through all that has been said and written and done in these years, there runs a common theme. Unity is the accepted goal. We argue about techniques and tactics. But when semantics are stripped away, There is little argument among us. We are determined to create a union of Africans" Hail Selassie I added.

David Dacko of Central African Republic in his speech illustratively agreed on the united Africa by saying "What would become of the Central African Republic which I represent here, and which is only a very small State like the majority of the African States?

Without a prosperous economy and without industry, my country is in addition exposed to the subversion carried on from abroad that weighs so heavily upon our continent. It would be in danger, alas, of disappearing from the political chess board of the world, if it did not belong to one of the large, strongly constructed groupings."

Unity was a must in order to achieve the full liberation of Africa. "No sporadic act nor pious resolution can resolve our present problems. Nothing will be of avail, except the united act of a united Africa. We have already reached the stage where we must unite or sink into that condition which had made Latin-America the unwilling and distressed prey of imperialism after one-and-a-half centuries of political independence" Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah said in his speech.

Map of Africa and its countries

He also added that "If we do not approach the problems in Africa with a common front and a common purpose, we shall be haggling and wrangling among ourselves until we are colonized again and become the tools of a far greater colonialism than we suffered hitherto."

The founding fathers realized that without unity, Africa will not be free from the helm of imperialist. Dacko said in his concluding statement "From the bottom of my heart, I hope to see the brotherly rapprochement of all the African States. Long live African unity!"

An Africa which is politically and economically free was the vision of the founding fathers. Colonialism, political and economic control of African nations by Europeans was the reason for freedom fighters to battle for independence. It was the vision of the fathers to see a politically independent Africa being in charge of its economy.

Emporer Hail Salassie I said "Unless the political liberty for which Africans have for so long struggled is complemented and bolstered by a corresponding economic and social growth, the breath of life which sustains our freedom may flicker out."

Nkrumah aslo agreed that "Independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs; to construct our society according to our aspirations, unhampered by crushing and humiliating neo-colonialist controls and interference."

"It is important to remember that independent financing and independent development cannot take place without an independent currency. A currency system that is backed by the resources of a foreign state is ipso facto subject to the trade and financial arrangements of that foreign country." Nkrumah added as a step to achieve the economic freedom.

The vision of the founding fathers was also an Industralized and civilized Africa. The scramble for Africa left the continent exploited of its resource to feed foreign industries. It only served as grounds for cheap raw materials and not considered for industralization by the imperialist. The founding fathers therefore had in their vision to industralize Africa, educate its citizens and chart a new path for civilization.

Nkrumah said "Common Continental Planning for the Industrial and Agricultural Development of Africa is a vital necessity." A vital necessity in a sense that without industries, Africa will face development deficiency and struggle to provide job for its growing population.

Fulbert Youlou agreed with Nkrumah in his speech at Addis Ababa by saying "African development depends on industrialization. Only by producing itself the essential manufactured goods it needs; can Africa ensure its development and reach a higher standard of living."

The vision of the founding fathers was an industralized, civilized and agriculturally strong nation. An Africa who can feed herself and export both her raw materials and finished products to the rest of the world. Not an Africa who produce raw materials for other parts of the world and feed on finished goods and sometimes left overs from other nations outside Africa.

It was as well the vision of the founding fathers to see an Africa whose sons and daughters share the success and problems of each together. An Africa that has no division base of country, ethnic groups, religious backgrouds, political or bilateral alliances. A divided Africa was the prayer and wish of the imperialist; capitalizing on African's division to exploit its resources.

Julius Nyerere of Tanzania expressed that some people are praying for the failure of African unity whilst others are praying for its success.

He said "We did not come here to discover whether we all want a free Africa. Even the greatest enemies of African unity know that the one thing on which there can be no doubt that the whole of Africa speaks with one sincere voice, it is our desire to see an Africa completely freed from foreign domination and racialism."

Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria noted in his speech "it is my duty to say, on behalf of the Algerian People and on behalf of one million five hundred thousand martyrs fallen on the field of honour, that this Charter will remain a dead letter unless we take concrete decisions, unless we lend unconditional support to the peoples of Angola, of South Africa, of Mozambique and others, unconditional support which these peoples still under the colonialist yoke are entitled to expect from us."

This was the Africa the fore-fathers looked up to see. An Africa that becomes concerned when even small portion of it is affected. An Africa which can tell her own story as in the words of Patrice Lumumba of Congo, an Africa whose people love one another.

This vision of togetherness was expressed in Ben Bella's closing words in the meeting, "It is thanks, too, to support from our brothers in Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and other countries that Algeria was able to free itself. Thus, African brothers agreed to die a little so that Algeria might become an independent State. So let us all agree to die a little, or even completely, so that the peoples still under colonial domination may be freed and African unity may not be a vain word."

The vision of the founding fathers was an Africa which devoid of war and peacefully co-exist with the rest of the world. Their vision was an Africa which gungs are silenced, an Africa which is not at conflict with herself or elsewhere in the world. An Africa which Congo and Somalia are at peace and Eritrea has no business to be at war with Ethiopia.

An Africa devoid of coup de'tat or any conflict on religious, natural resource, ethnic or political disputes. An Africa with a solid defense system that maintain peace within African territory.

Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah said "We need a Common Defense System with an African High Command to ensure the stability and security of Africa."

"We have been charged with this sacred task by our own people, and we cannot betray their trust by failing them. We will be mocking the hopes of our people if we show the slightest hesitation or delay in tackling realistically this question of African Unity" he added.

The observance of this vision was Nelson Mandela's forgiveness, allowing both whites and blacks to live and govern together after independence in South Africa.

"While guarding our own independence, we must at the same time determine to live peacefully with all nations the world." Emporer Hail Salassie requested in his speech.

The question before Africans today is "were these visions realized?" Were the delegations of May 25, 1963 fruitful? What was the fate of the founding fathers and what happened to their struggle?

The common challenge to the vision was that the founding fathers still left the meeting with divided minds, minds polluted with deceives from former colonial masters and the trapings of power.

It must be said that some founding fathers if not all left the meeting with misunderstading or no understanding of what they really want since they went into the meeting with different languages inherited from colonization. I doubt translating machines had done enough work.

African unity today is a mere grouping with a name tag Africa Union (AU) yet the continent is divided on several bases. The continent is not only divided by national borders of its states but language barriers, racism, economic interest of sister states and pressures from foreign powers who have their selfish-interest in the continent.

In an attempt to make the continent better, Africa in the year 2013 (celebrating 50 years of OAU/AU) formed Agenda 2063, an article that lays down strategies to transform the continent in the next 50 years. Yet the fate of that document will call for another story after first 10 years if I am to discuss its progress.

If Africa is going to realise its potential, truly become politically and economically independent and prevail in the modern age, we must go back to the vision of the founding fathers. We must visit the speeches of the founding fathers, analyse their wisdom and find out what will work best for us in this age.

To achieve unity, which paves way for other visions to be achieved, His Imperial Majesty said "Above all, we must avoid the pitfalls of tribalism. It we are divided among ourselves on tribal lines, we open our doors to foreign intervention and its potentially harmful consequences."

"Principles alone can endow our deeds with force and meaning. Let us be true to what we believe that our beliefs may serve and honour us." Hail Salassie remarked.