Page 202 - Afrika Must Unite

NEO-COLONIALISM IN AFRICA 187
Commonwealth in question, should seek to bind themselves once
more into a European political association which can only
intensify their economic dependence on France.
It is significant that the word ‘Eurafrica’ has come into use in
connection with the European Common M arket negotiations.
It sums up the dangerous conception of a close, continuing link
between Europe and Africa on neo-colonialist terms, which must
be cemented in any political formation such as that envisaged
in the Bangui resolution.1 The newly emergent states do not make
it a principle to break off all relations with their former colonial
masters. In the context of a united Africa these relations would
take on new and more dignified forms. Even at this time, there
may be certain advantages in m aintaining a link which history
has forged. No question of dictation, however, must arise. The
new states must ensure that such relations are the result of a
free choice freely negotiated, in which they can treat with the
European power just as with any other state in the world with
whom they may wish to promote friendship. Nonetheless, how­
ever loose such a relationship may be, if it should tend in the
slightest degree to impinge upon the African state’s relations
with other African states, its retention becomes indefensible.
Pan-Africa and not Eurafrica should be our watchword, and the
guide to our policies.
W hat is at stake is not the destiny of a single country but the
freedom and destiny of the African continent, the unalterable
prelude to African Union and the fullest development of the
many countries comprising the continent. Just as we are alive to
the dangers of a world which is half-slave, half-free, so we are
alert to the perils of an African continent split between states that
are wholly sovereign and states that are only half-independent.
Such a pattern can only impede the real independence of Africa
and its transformation into an industrialized continent exercis­
ing its rightful influence upon world affairs.
None of us should be under any illusion about the diffi­
culties that lie ahead in the forging of continental government.
Enemies of African unity will multiply their endeavours to
deflect us from our course. Their device is the creation of discord
1 Resolution at the Conference of Brazzaville States held at Bangui from
25-26 M arch 1962.