Pan-Africanism: Moving From Rhetoric to Meaningful Action

The resurgence of Pan-Africanism across the continent has taken a troubling turn, as military regimes and ideological influencers promote a distorted version of this historic movement, replacing its core principles with anti-Western rhetoric and alignment with new foreign powers.

What passes for Pan-Africanism today, particularly in the Sahel region, has devolved into a simplistic formula: denounce Western powers while embracing the narratives of Russia, China, or Turkey. This performative approach, amplified through social media and political discourse, presents African youth with a false dichotomy – reject one set of foreign interests only to embrace another.

“Replacing Western imperialism with that of Moscow or Beijing is not liberation; it is a new bondage,” notes Sanou, a researcher specializing in governance and security in the Sahel. This reduction of Pan-Africanism to anti-Western posturing fundamentally contradicts the movement’s original purpose – African self-determination.

The contradiction is particularly stark in military-led regimes that invoke African sovereignty while depending on foreign support for their survival. Several Sahel juntas rely heavily on the Wagner Group and Moscow’s backing while claiming to champion African independence. As Sanou argues, “A country’s sovereignty is impossible without the sovereignty of its people,” which necessitates democratic governance, rule of law, and protection of individual rights.

Another concerning trend is the selective outrage displayed by self-proclaimed Pan-Africanists. Continental debates about conflicts in Gaza or Ukraine often overshadow catastrophes unfolding within Africa itself. The ongoing crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and Ethiopia receive comparatively little attention from these same voices, revealing what Sanou calls “geopolitical ventriloquism” rather than genuine Pan-African solidarity.

This phenomenon unfolds against a rapidly evolving global landscape. While technological advancements reshape economies worldwide, some African leaders continue to justify authoritarian rule by recycling anti-colonial rhetoric from the mid-20th century. Though these historical grievances have legitimacy, fixating on past resentments prevents forward momentum.

Europe’s post-war reconciliation offers an instructive contrast. Former enemies France and Germany chose to build a common future rather than perpetuate hostility, creating unprecedented prosperity through cooperation. “Africa’s historical grievances are real,” Sanou acknowledges, “But fixating on past resentments is not a development strategy. It is an abdication of leadership.”

True Pan-Africanism, according to Sanou, requires concrete action rather than ideological posturing. He points to success stories across the continent: Nigeria’s development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Dangote Refinery’s continental-scale value addition, Côte d’Ivoire’s approach to attracting international capital on favorable terms, and Lagos’s Eko Atlantic development poised to rival Dubai as a commercial gateway.

The path forward requires substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and value-added production. It means coordinating between African nations to engage with global powers from a position of collective strength rather than subordination. Importantly, it involves preserving distinctly African values – family centrality, communal responsibility, and human dignity – which Sanou describes as “civilisational assets” in a world grappling with social fragmentation.

“Pan-Africanism is not anti-Western; it is pro-African,” Sanou emphasizes. The movement can embrace international rules and global engagement while rejecting subordination, working with partners from both East and West while remaining firmly anchored in African interests.

The ultimate measure of Pan-Africanism’s success lies not in rhetoric but in tangible improvements to citizens’ lives across the continent – from Kano to Kinshasa, Bamako to Harare. “Africa’s destiny cannot be outsourced,” Sanou concludes. “It must be built, deliberately, collectively, and intelligently.”