The ideology of ‘Pan Africanism’ was built on the belief of a common history and destiny. It then became a movement for the global unification of people of African descent; of those within the continent and those in the Diaspora — in the Caribbean, for instance, by historical displacements, notably through the transatlantic slave trade. In the mid twentieth century, this movement actually became a very popular solidarity front for purposes of social bonding in lifting Black identity globally. It equally became a political mantra for emancipation from colonialism, and the unification of African countries, which was utilized in shaping their respective economies. In essence, the Pan African movement had in the past become a strong voice that directly responded to the global racial discrimination and segregation (anti-Black racism) practised against Blacks by some deep rooted Whites’ claiming superior-humanity or such assumed mentality in the Western world. In other words, responding to “white supremacy”, “systemic racism”, colonialism, and inequality globally. Africans were earlier regarded as less of human beings. generally, particularly due to the initial lack of western education that develops knowledge, minds, and builds people’s capacity in various ways of tackling the evolving socioeconomic challenges, and search for solutions in decent and healthy living (in a well organised, civilised, and properly structured society that enjoys stable governance).
With the current xenophobia issues that have violently sprung up in South Africa, there is every chance that the original tempo and enthusiasm amongst Africans, the zeal for strong brotherliness, close friendliness and good neighbourliness may start waxing cold. This serious matter of deep hatred and resentment against nationals from other African countries by the citizens of the host country (in this particular case, the South Africans), has surely dealt a devastating blow to the envisaged continental unity.
Other African governments have frantically started rescuing their nationals that are residing in South Africa. In doing so, a lot of reforms and policies would need to be deliberately and collectively worked out by all African nations. This needs to be urgently put in place. Otherwise, the efforts and labours of our fore-bearers would be meaningless and could eventually amount to nothing, if xenophobia issues are left to continue spreading like wild fire amongst the African nations. This shouldn’t be because, the gross figures and the critical value of intra continental trades, and external trade with the continent’s trading partners all over the globe, shall be adversely impacted.
What bothers most is the magnitude, dimension and nature of future impact from the fallout of xenophobia attacks. This definitely should brew unsustainable, strained social and diplomatic relationships based on the senseless extra judicial killings by those taking laws into their hands and causing mayhem in the society. The reprisal attacks will surely snowball in an unimaginable dimension unless the governments quickly nip it in the bud now. It will not augur well for the continent if this socially destructive plague is not quickly dismantled and completely taken out of the social system at the continental level.
It is imperative for governments to look into this very matter and diplomatically come out with a mutually produced white paper that permanently quells this ugly situation. Citizens of various countries will need to frequently go through orientations with focus on human relations, and centred around how citizens from other countries should be treated with dignity; so long as they are migrants with genuine immigration documents. Such a programme would contribute towards continental economic integration, social justice, and the African cultural consciousness among the African countries.
The economic dimension requires delicate management in the continent, especially when the aggregating economic units are expected to cooperate and trade amongst themselves, with respect to international trade. The transnational and multilateral economic bloc like the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a continental trade initiative, programmed in such a manner that needs to be supported and encouraged to function successfully in and for Africa.
In the global space, international trade among partnering nations involves commercial activities that operate under a healthy competitive atmosphere within the various markets. This is actually a narrative that would fall short of excellent performance in a troubled sociopolitical atmosphere, where external interferences are bound to disrupt smooth trades within the continent, if elements or traces of xenophobia fester. A conducive business atmosphere, void of xenophobia is vital and necessary, if African countries genuinely mean well to grow the continent economically.
Pan-Africanism, therefore, remains a vital policy framework that could drive international trade very successfully, among the aggregating African economies. This will be towards recording excellent performances for real economic growth and the expected high rating for the continent’s development. This, surely, requires corporate partnership amongst the African economies.
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Sunny Nwachukwu (Loyal Sigmite), PhD, Fellow (ICCON, CSN, SM), a pure and applied chemist with an MBA in management, is an Onitsha based industrialist, and former vice president (finance), Onitsha Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached on +234 803 318 2105 (text only) or schubltd@yahoo.com
