Liberation struggles against colonialism in Africa

Liberation struggles against colonialism in Africa

The liberation of the African continent involved efforts by Africans to free themselves from colonialism. In other words, liberation involved struggles to end colonialism in Africa and to restore independence among Africans.

There were three phases of the liberation struggles against colonialism in Africa.

The first phase started when citizens began to resist the colonial invasion in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. These earlier movements and resistances started with an ethnic group or a combination of ethnic groups. Some of the ethnic groups that participated in the early liberation struggles included the following:

1. The Hehe led by Chief Mkwawa, the Nyamwezi led by Mtemi Isike and the Yao led by Chief Machemba: These opposed the German invasion in some parts of present-day mainland Tanzania;
2. The Nandi led by Chief Koitalel Arap Samoei and the Banyoro led by Kabalega opposed the British colonial invasion in Kenya and Uganda respectively;
3. The Ethiopians led by King Menelik II opposed the Italian invasion in Ethiopia.
4. The Mandika led by Samori Toure in West Africa opposed the French invasion;
5. A number of ethnic groups in the southern part of present-day Tanzania such as Matumbi, Ngoni, Bena, Ngindo and others waged the Majimaji wars against the German colonial rule; and
6. The Nama led by Hendrik Witbooi and Herero led by Samuel Maherero of South West Africa opposed German colonial invasion in areas of present-day Namibia.

The second phase of liberation struggles in Africa

The second phase of liberation struggles in Africa developed after the First World War in many parts of the continent. This phase involved the formation of workers', peasants', and religious associations as tools of resistance against colonial oppression.

Workers' associations

Workers in colonial economic centres and civil services formed associations to fight against colonialism. These associations protested against forced labour, racism, oppression, exploitation, discrimination, and low wages for Africans. They also demanded changes in some of the colonial laws and regulations. Examples of these associations included:

1. Tanganyika Territory African Civil Servants Association (TTACSA) – Tanganyika
2. Northern Rhodesia Mine Workers Union – Zambia
3. North Kavirondo Central Association – Kenya
4. National Congress of British West Africa – British colonies of West Africa

Farmers' associations

Along with workers' associations, African peasants also formed organizations to protect their interests against colonial exploitation. These associations defended African peasants from land alienation, high taxation, and low crop prices. Examples of these farmers' associations included:

1. Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) – Tanganyika
2. Cocoa Farmers Association – Gold Coast (Ghana)

Religious organisations as a tool of struggle

Africans also established independent religious organizations to protest against discrimination and racism in European Christian churches. Some of the prominent African Independent Churches included:

1. Watch Tower – Led by John Chilembwe in Malawi
2. The Church of Jesus Christ – Led by Simon Kimbangu in Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo)
3. Msambwa Church – Kenya
4. Lumpa Church – Led by Lenshina in Zambia
5. The Last Church of God and His Christ – Led by Ben Ngemela in Tanzania

The third phase of liberation struggles in Africa

The third phase of the liberation struggles evolved after the Second World War and was characterized by the formation of political parties. The focus shifted towards demanding independence from European colonial rule.

Political parties and their role

During this period, African elites formed political parties that became platforms for the independence struggle. The main objective of these political parties was to end European colonialism in Africa. Examples of such political parties included:

1. Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) – Tanganyika
2. Kenya African National Union (KANU) – Kenya
3. Uganda People's Congress (UPC) – Uganda