African Spring 113: African freedom struggle

African Spring 113: African freedom struggle

Kampala, Uganda, June 21, 2012

http://erasmusjourno.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/arab-mohamed_bouazizi.jpg

The continent has seen its fair share of conquest wars, freedom movements, independence wars and now African/Arab Spring. Starting of arbitrarily, the Ethiopian army crushed the invading Italian forces at Adwa in 1896. In 1903 the Herero revolt in Namibia was crushed and ended in a genocide by the German colonial troops. Gandhi inspired the Indian community in South Africa to a movement of satya graha (devotion to truth) or the non violence movement starting of in 1908.

The African National Congress gets founded in 1912 in South Africa to empower disenfranchised blacks followed by the First Pan African Conference in Paris 1919. Fast forward to post World War II protest in Ghana, formerly known as Gold coast leading to independence in 1949. This sets up a string of countries becoming independent before 1980 (Zimbabwe), 1990 (Namibia), 1991 (Eritrea) and 2011 (South Sudan).

One could have hoped for less inequality post colonialism, unfortunately many rulers had an eye only for themselves, their family, clan and tribe. For decades the suffering on the continent has been ongoing. Until the recent outbreak of protest.

The current wave of demonstrations can be said to have been set off by the despair of Mohamed Bouazizi. As he tried to make a living as a street vendor supporting many family members for many years he had been harassed by the local police. On December 17, 2010 they confiscated his goods, wheel barrow and balances yet again. Not having the money to bribe the officials he went to the Governor’s office to complain about the issue. As he would not be received he spoke the prophetic words: “If you will not see me I will burn myself. One hour later he did immolate himself. He never came to again and passed away after 18 days. The Tunisian Spring was born. Ten days later, January 14, 2011 President Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia after being in power for over 20 years.

Many people around the world picked up on the Tunisian Revolution/Arab Spring. The photo above demonstrates the impact around the world. Mubarak (Egypt) and Ghadaffi (Libya) are other examples of rulers in power too long being overtaken by people power.

Struggle to liberate from oppression usually comes with sacrifice, deaths, wounded, martyrs and conflict. Gandhi’s way of non violence is an extraordinary example of the power of the human will. The question is if it will translate to other contexts?

Namaskar,

Ashis

http://images.blatantworld.com/001_full_sized_image/map_of_all_arab_spring_and_occupy_movement_nations_2011.png

http://pomed.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Protest-Path1.bmp