Page 68 - Afrika Must Unite

FREEDOM FIRST 53

achieved, it would surely strengthen African continental
freedom and unity.
Party leaders in countries which are still not free would be able
to derive strength and inspiration from close association with
their opposite numbers in independent countries. Though beset
by difficulties, they would gain confidence from being part of a
strong continental organization with immense resources, which
they could draw upon in time of need. From its inception, the
Convention People’s Party declared in its constitution that it
would ‘seek to establish fraternal relations with, and offer
guidance and support to all nationalist, democratic and socialist
movements, in Africa and elsewhere, which are fighting for
national independence and self-determ ination!’
Among independent countries the common party would act
as a unifying force. Also, if a common domestic policy could be
worked out it would help immeasurably in the planning and
development of the African continent as a whole, in the economic
and social spheres.
The unevenness of development in Africa, both political and
economic, is a major problem. Some countries are poor in natural
resources; others rich. Some achieved independence com­
paratively easily, and peacefully; others are still struggling. The
obvious solution is unity, so that development can be properly
and cohesively planned.
Countries under alien rule achieve independence in different
ways. India was promised freedom by ‘steady evolution towards
self-government in ordered constitutional stages’. In fact it took
twenty-seven years of civil commotion and passive disobedience
for India to achieve her aim. Libya was granted independence
by the United Nations Organization as a direct result of Italy’s
defeat in the Second W orld W ar. The Portuguese colony of Goa
was liberated by India. Several countries in the M iddle East owe
their existence as separate states to the W estern powers, when
they carved up the O ttom an Empire after the First W orld
W ar.
In Africa, the nature of the freedom struggle has varied
according to the background conditions against which it has had
to operate and the position of the international scene at a given
time.