Page 208 - Afrika Must Unite

NEO-COLONIALISM IN AFRICA 193
African territories draws a fagade of disharmony across the
fervent will to unity that pervades the rank and file of the large
nationalist movements throughout the continent. It is the idea of
the universality of freedom that has impelled the struggle for in­
dependence. And just as the vast masses of the peoples of Africa
instinctively absorbed the notion of freedom’s indivisibility, so, in
contradistinction to those unpatriotic leaders who ally them ­
selves with foreign interests rather than support Africa’s con­
tinental cohesion, they spontaneously understand and uphold
the need for African union. Their Africanism is a more solid
reality, for they have not been seduced by the sophistries of
assimilation into an alien culture and foreign ideological
identity. There is a bond of unity here that cannot be dis­
regarded. It must be used to mould the cause of African Union
and carry us forward to its attainm ent and the exorcism of every
vestige of imperialism from our continent. O ur course is clear.
We must beware of the gift of fictitious independence and refuse
the falsities of encumbered foreign alliances. We must examine
carefully praise from questionable sources and give to the people
guarantees of our sincerity in every way. We must stand firmly
together against the imperialist forces which are engineering our
division and seeking to make Africa a war-ground of contending
interests. For it is only in the African association of unity and not
in a rider-horse relationship with the very powers that are
planning our balkanization that we can counteract and sur­
mount this machiavellian danger.
A Union of African States must strengthen our influence on the
international scene, as all Africa will speak with one concerted
voice. W ith union, our example of a multiple of peoples living
and working for m utual development in amity and peace will
point the way for the smashing of the inter-territorial barriers
existing elsewhere, and give a new meaning to the concept of
hum an brotherhood. A Union of African States will raise the
dignity of Africa and strengthen its impact on world affairs. It
will make possible the full expression of the African personality.