The pursuit of African unity has been a recurring theme in the continent’s history, championed by visionaries who dreamed of a cohesive, prosperous Africa unbound by colonial borders and divisions. Yet, a curious and tragic pattern has emerged: many of those who passionately advocated for African unity met untimely ends, whether through assassination, political downfall, or mysterious circumstances.
This phenomenon has sparked debates about whether the quest for unity is cursed or systematically opposed by forces both within and outside the continent. This article explores the historical context, key figures, and the challenges that have repeatedly thwarted the dream of a united Africa.
Ibrahim Traore survived another assassination attempt
The Vision of African Unity
The idea of African unity gained momentum in the mid-20th century as African nations fought for independence from colonial rule. Leaders like Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, and Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso envisioned a continent where resources, cultures, and aspirations were shared for collective progress.
The establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now the African Union (AU), was a landmark effort to foster solidarity, economic cooperation, and political stability. However, the dream of a fully unified Africa—whether through a federal system or a confederation—has remained elusive, and its most ardent proponents have often paid a heavy price.
The Fallen Champions
Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)
Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, was a towering figure in the Pan-African movement. His vision for a United States of Africa included a unified military, economy, and foreign policy. Nkrumah’s radical ideas, including his push for industrialization and continental unity, made him a target. In 1966, he was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup while on a state visit to Asia. Exiled, he lived out his days in Guinea and Romania, dying in 1972 under controversial circumstances. His ousting marked a significant blow to the Pan-African cause, as his successors prioritized national interests over continental unity.
Patrice Lumumba (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of independent Congo, was a fervent advocate for African sovereignty and unity. He believed that Africa’s vast resources should benefit its people, not foreign powers. His outspoken criticism of colonialism and his push for unity alarmed Western interests, particularly in the mineral-rich Congo. In 1961, just months after taking office, Lumumba was arrested, tortured, and executed in a plot involving Belgian and American intelligence. His death at 35 silenced one of the most promising voices for African unity and set a precedent for the violent suppression of similar ideals.
Thomas Sankara (Burkina Faso)
Known as “Africa’s Che Guevara,” Thomas Sankara transformed Burkina Faso in the 1980s with policies aimed at self-reliance and solidarity with other African nations. He called for debt repudiation and collective resistance against neo-colonialism, advocating for a united front to strengthen Africa’s global position. In 1987, Sankara was assassinated in a coup led by his close ally Blaise Compaoré, widely believed to have been supported by foreign powers uneasy with Sankara’s radical agenda. His death at 37 cut short a revolutionary vision that inspired generations.
The Assassination of Thomas Sankara
Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)
Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s leader from 1969 to 2011, was a polarizing figure whose later years were marked by his push for African unity. Gaddafi proposed a United States of Africa with a single currency, army, and passport. He invested heavily in the AU and funded infrastructure projects across the continent. However, his ambitions clashed with Western interests and some African leaders wary of his influence. In 2011, during the Arab Spring, Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in a NATO-backed intervention. His demise raised questions about whether his vision for African unity threatened global powers.
Why the Pattern Persists
The recurring downfall of African unity advocates suggests a confluence of internal and external forces. Internally, Africa’s diversity—linguistic, cultural, and political—has often hindered unity efforts. National interests, ethnic rivalries, and leadership egos have fragmented the continent, making leaders like Nkrumah and Sankara vulnerable to domestic opposition. Externally, the legacy of colonialism and ongoing neo-colonial interests have played a significant role. Western powers, seeking access to Africa’s resources, have historically supported regimes and coups that align with their interests, often at the expense of unity advocates.
Economic dependency has also been a barrier. Many African nations rely on foreign aid, loans, and trade agreements that prioritize external partners over intra-African cooperation. Leaders who challenge this status quo, like Sankara with his debt resistance, often face isolation or destabilization. Moreover, the assassination or removal of unity advocates sends a chilling message to others, discouraging bold visions for fear of similar fates.
The Modern Context
Today, the African Union continues to push for integration through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), launched in 2021, which aims to boost intra-African trade. However, challenges persist: political instability, corruption, and external influence remain hurdles. Contemporary leaders advocating for unity, such as Rwanda’s Paul Kagame or Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, operate in a complex global landscape where economic and geopolitical interests often overshadow Pan-African ideals.
The tragic pattern of fallen unity advocates raises critical questions: Is African unity inherently threatening to global powers? Are internal divisions too entrenched to overcome? The deaths of Nkrumah, Lumumba, Sankara, and Gaddafi suggest that the pursuit of unity is fraught with peril, yet their legacies continue to inspire movements for a stronger, more cohesive Africa.
Conclusion
The saying “anyone who wants African unity does not last” reflects a sobering historical truth. The visionaries who dared to dream of a united Africa often faced opposition too powerful to overcome, from internal betrayals to external interventions. Yet, their ideas endure, fueling ongoing efforts to realize a continent that stands together economically, politically, and culturally. The challenge for modern Africa is to honor their sacrifices by building unity that transcends borders while navigating the complex realities of a globalized world. Only time will tell if the curse of history can be broken, allowing the dream of African unity to thrive without claiming its champions.