THE TRUTH ELUDES AFRICA FREEDOM

Sir,

Africa continues unabated its trend of not satisfying the needs and aspirations of its people, especially the youth. My heart bleeds for the betterment of African youth.

The current nature of global conflicts and the array of threats confronting African nations require solutions and pooling of ideas to shape a comprehensive and conclusive response.

As citizens of Africa we need to rise and say no to terrorism and xenophobia. These present a serious and sustained threat to the continent and its progress. The terrorist and xenophobia groups seek to cause widespread disruption, fear and intimidation. They use violence as a means of publicising their causes, motivating those who might be sympathetic to them and intimidating those who do not sympathise.

African fathers pioneered the liberation struggle when they discovered the truth that we were under colonial bondage. Nkrumah, Nyerere, Mandela, Mugabe, Nkomo, Kaunda, Kenyatta, Tambo and Machel, among others, discovered the truth that we had to be liberated from colonial rule.

These names are associated with sacrificial liberation and instead of preaching revenge they promoted forgiveness after independence. They went to war and achieved their noble cause of truth (freedom). They paid the price in order to achieve this noble cause. They were incarcerated into prisons and others taken into detention centres for years but they never gave up. These great leaders were treated like animals because they voiced against prejudice, racial inequality and for their countries’ sovereignty. They were even regarded as terrorists.

These elders played a huge role in bringing freedom to Africa but why are things upside down now in Africa? We have Boko Haram in Nigeria, Alshabab in Somalia, xenophobic attacks in South Africa, war lords in the DRC and a host of others. The elders of different Africa countries should ask themselves why is this happening? I want to be frank this is birthed from frustration due to unemployment and poverty.

We need one another as Africans; we can’t do without each other. Let’s develop Africa because we have talented people, let’s not sideline their views. Every son and daughter of Africa has a right to participate in resource mobilisation and capacity utilisation to benefit as citizens of the continent. Let’s ensure that the youth are involved in Africa’s development before they are lured into terrorism, xenophobia, drug trafficking and other vices.

Enos Denhere
enosden@gmail.com

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