

100. Decolonising Africa
21 snips Sep 23, 2021
Tomiwa Owolade, a writer and critic specializing in African history and politics, delves into the decolonization of Africa, highlighting crucial events and figures like Frantz Fanon. The conversation covers the unifying moments of the pan-African movement, the violent struggles for independence, and the complexities of forging stable nations from diverse ethnic backgrounds. They also examine the legacy of colonialism on contemporary Africa and the ongoing influence of foreign powers, particularly through the lens of historic cases like the Congo.
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Early Stages of Decolonization
- In 1958, African decolonization was in its early stages, with only a few independent nations.
- These included Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.
Varying European Presence
- European presence varied across African colonies, with some having substantial settler populations like Algeria.
- Others had smaller European populations, relying more on collaboration with local elites.
Colonial Approaches Compared
- French colonies were integrated into Greater France, while British colonies were ruled individually.
- Belgian Congo, under Leopold II's rule, suffered severe exploitation and violence, inspiring Conrad's Heart of Darkness.