Question

Give a comprehensive definition and description of Pan Africanism. With particular (but not exclusive) focus on the contributions of Marcus Garvey and WEB Du Bois, attempt an analysis of 20^th Century Pan Africanism and evaluate how the formation of the OAU as seen in its charter, fulfilled or disappointed the hopes and aspirations of genuine and committed Pan Africanists

Answer 1

Pan Africanism is a world wide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and diaspora ethnic groups of African descent. Based on belief that unity is vital to economic, social and political progress that aims 'unify and uplift' people of african descent. And based on a common goal dating back to the Atlantic Slave trade' the movement extends beyond continental Africans with a substantial support base among the African diaspora in the Americas and Europe.

Contribution of Marcus Garvey and WEB Du Bois

African Americans at the start of the 1920s were struggling to overcome racial barriers. W.E.B Du Bois and Marcus Garvey were two influential black political leaders in 1920s. The two men came from separate backgrounds, which subsequently led to their differing outlooks on the destiny of the African American race. Their ideas were different enough from another black leaders. WEB Du Bois's affiliation with the NAACP attempt to solve the problem through integration. Garvey's UNIA centered around the idea of blacks helping blacks, attempting to relieve blacks of any dependence on whites. Both men had a lasting impact on genetrations to come.

The beliefs of W. E. B Du Bois and Marcus Garvey, as influenced by their background, had a profound effect on their life work, including the organization they were involved with and the type of people they attracted. Du Bois came from the mote privileged background. His life work centered on improving the condition of African Americans, but he wanted this by working with liberal whites through the NAACP. Marcus Garvey grew up in an impoverished Jamaican community. After minimal schooling, he traveled latin America and eventually ended up in England. Here, he embraced the idea of the Pan Africanism. These ideas were the groundwork for the organization he founded, UNIA.

Formation of the OAU

The OAU Charter was adopted on 23 may 1963. South Africa was admitted to the OAU on 23 may 1994 and the OAU charter became binding on south Africa on that same date. South Africa signed the Act on 8 september 2000 and parliament ratified it on Ratification was signed on 3 march 2001.

The main objective of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid :

- to promote Unity and solodarity amongst African states

-to cordinate and idensity cooperation for development

- to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of memeber states

Fulfilled and Disappointed the hopes and aspirations of genuine and committed Pan Africanism

In historical context, Pan-Africanism served as both a cultural and political ideology for the solidarity of people of African descent.

One of the reasons Pan Africanism is disappointed is because of its links to communism and how the western countries rather wanted to have pet allies and not politically independent nations in the continent

And the second most important reason is the lack of trust among African leader.

Pan Africanism was the attempt to create a sense of brotherhood and collaboration among all people of African descent whether they lived inside or outside of Africa. The themes raised in this excerpt connect to the aspirations of people, the values of European, culture, and the world of African Colonies.