Critiquing Sub-Saharan Pan-Africanism through an Appraisal of Postcolonial African Modernity
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Abstract
What vision directs pan-Africanism and which developmental model does it support and promote? To answer this question, the article evaluates pan-Africanism within the demands of African modernity and locates the extent to which pan-Africanism meets the aspiration of African modernity. It argues that pan-Africanism has what amounts to a north-bound gaze and supports development imperialism, and shows that for this reason it is not properly grounded on African realities, the consequence of which is the weakness of African modernity. The article suggests a re-articulation of pan-Africanism through the ideology of pro-Africanism, which holds that autonomy and self-will are two cardinal principles that are fundamental to African self-definition but which pan-Africanism is not in a position to provide because it amounts to a subordination of African difference. It concludes that a redirection of the African vision in this direction is a worthier ideological alternative to pan-Africanism.
Contributor Notes
Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi is a Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Religions, University of Abuja, Abuja-Nigeria, and Founder, Centre for Critical Thinking and Resourceful Research in Africa (CECTRRA, www.cectrraafrica.org). He was Visiting Associate Professor of Philosophy to the Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe, in 2014 and has over forty-five academic publications. His research interest is African Philosophy, African Modernity and Afro-Theorism. E-mail: lawrenceogbougwuanyi@gmail.com