Africa in a Quandary: Decolonization in Reverse?

Volume: 2 , Issue: 1 , October 2023

Africa in a Quandary: Decolonization in Reverse?

Abstract

By chronology in periodization, Africa should be in its halcyon days- post-slavery, post-colonial and post-independence era. If this were so in the letter and spirit of the terms, Africa would by now be immersed in a period of unprecedented progress having putatively broken off the fetters of inferiority. But motives are not the same with objective reality; hence the continent is apparently mired in underdevelopment. When the peoples of the continent should be home in Africa counting their blessings, as it were, they are at present leaving their homelands in droves for foreign lands in search of greener pastures. Many are ready to condescend to new matrices of slavery and colonialism such as human trafficking and doing shabby chores overseas, where they are treated as mere chattels by the neo-colonial masters, just to be able to eke out a living. It is worse with the current fad popularly known as ‘Japa syndrome,’ in which the younger generation risks their lives through hazardous processes of migrating to foreign countries to be able to make a living. This paper will probe the rationale for the resurgence of quasi-slavery atmosphere in most of Africa and Nigeria in particular in their relationship with the advanced nations. The perspectives canvassed here shall be largely predicated on civilization theories by the social thinker and Harvard professor, Samuel Huntington. This will help throw light on the fast degeneracy of a country like Nigeria in core human development indices, and which seem to be at the root of its socioeconomic and political instability. The novel Trafficked and the short story “Dilemma of a Senior Citizen” by the renowned writer, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo will bring concreteness and elaboration to the analysis of the contemporary malaise, so to speak.