The African liberation movements that won independence from colonial rule were founded on the principle that Africans must be free to determine their own future.
This belief in sovereignty remains central to liberation parties like Zimbabwe’s ZANU PF, which continues to resist external interference and advocate for African control over resources and policies. Despite formal independence, true self-determination in Africa remains a work in progress, with former colonial powers still exerting influence over the continent’s resources and political landscape.
Former cabinet minister Walter Muzembi recently asserted that most liberation parties have “reached the end of their shelf life,” suggesting that Africa is fully free from foreign control. However, his remark appears to overlook the reality that many Western powers still benefit from Africa’s vast resources and often respond to challenges to their dominance by supporting pliant opposition groups aligned with their interests. These Western-backed parties aim to replace liberation movements with alternatives that serve foreign agendas rather than advancing genuine African sovereignty.
ZANU PF, which remains focused on resisting this external influence, exemplifies the enduring struggle for African control over resources and policies. The party’s land reform and resource reclamation efforts have been at the forefront of this fight for true sovereignty, a struggle that Muzembi himself benefited from. To dismiss the liberation movements as obsolete is to ignore the broader context in which Africa continues to seek real autonomy.
The ongoing alignment of opposition groups, like the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), with Western support raises questions about who ultimately benefits from attempts to shift power away from liberation parties. Such parties often lack a distinct African identity and focus on removing liberation parties without clear, locally-driven policies. This pattern contrasts with the vision promoted by liberation movements that seek multilateral cooperation based on equality, as seen in the rising influence of the BRICS bloc. BRICS offers African countries the chance to engage globally without being subordinated to Western interests, encouraging a fairer international order.
Ultimately, the continued existence of liberation movements is vital for safeguarding Africa from Neo-colonialism. These parties are committed to creating an Africa that engages with the world on its terms, free from dominance by external powers.
The vision they embody—of a truly independent and self-determined continent—remains central to the ongoing journey toward complete African sovereignty.
