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Commentary

Talk of colonial powers ‘granting independence’ helps to perpetuate the idea of the

‘benign’ colonial power. It also serves to reinforce the idea that Africans should be grateful

to the ex-colonial powers, that there is a ‘debt’ owed by the African. The reality is that
colonial powers were always reluctant to accept African independence. They had to be

‘persuaded’ to accept it.

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Under-development and dependency

The legacy of colonial rule was one of underdevelopment. Colonial powers did not build
the infrastructure necessary for an independent nation state. What they left behind was a

dependency.

And following independence, the ex-colonial powers, and others, continued to pursue

their self-interested policies of extraction and exploitation. And did this to an extent that it

has substantially damaged the development of African countries and their economies.

But this has not stopped the m’zungu claiming he was helping, is helping the African.

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A continuing reluctance to ‘let go’

EurAfrica / Eurafrique / Francafrique

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Throughout the 20 century, ex-colonial powers continued to pursue different concepts
that would tie Africa to Europe.

EurAfrica was a German concept that envisaged a future with Europe and Africa

linked together in a strategic partnership. This concept was actively promoted in the early
20 century. During the 1950s, the key period for African independence, the concept was
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more vigorously pursued by France as EurAfrique. In due course, the continuing French

desire to cling to its ex-colonies played a part in the formation of the European Common
Market. In the latter part of the 20th century, French policy towards its ex-colonies has

been termed as Francafrique.

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