Independence: A Chance To Prove Our Capacity

Independence: A Chance To Prove Our Capacity

By Daniel Semere

In 2010 the BBC had a small forum they launched in their web site, about what the people of Africa think about independence. That year was when many African countries were to celebrate their fifty years of independence. It was meant to provoke ideas about what half a century of independence meant for the people of Africa. From the responses that were forwarded one could see that the word independence is often used, and even misused, to explain the various aspects of the people’s life. Naturally not every one can have the same view about it. There was difference of opinion whether independence has really brought the opportunity for much of the African people to change their life for the better.

In the opinion of some respondents independence has been made to mean ‘independence from European colonial powers,’ yet it is something that should not just be defined that way. It should go down to examine how the people are actually faring. It is true that post independence life in many African countries has been punctuated with upheavals, political unrest, civil wars, and with the dream of becoming economically independent after attaining political independence from an alien state remaining a dream. Indeed mentioning the civil war in Congo just after independence, the Rwanda genocide that took the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens, and the abject poverty of most of the rural Africa is enough. On the other hand however, there were opinions voicing that the achievement Africa has accomplished in those years of independence should not be underestimated. These people believe that since 1960, the situation on the continent has changed profoundly, not only in the political but also in the economic, social and cultural spheres. They seem to hold the conviction that manifold concentration, differentiation and transformation processes have made African societies much better and more complex today than they were 50 years ago.

Whatever the difference might be however, having been liberated from the colonizers is an achievement in and of it. As most would agree colonialism is to be despised, the way it downgraded and humiliated us. Therefore the struggle for independence was a worthy cause as we became free and nations. Certainly, Africa must pursue an alternative path that will lead to economic prosperity and peace. Africa needs to escape the vicious circle of poverty.

The above seems to be a very fair representation of what independence means to today’s African people. One thing that was missing from the above expressions or was not posed as frequently as it should is the sense of responsibility that is inherent in the word “Independence”. Yes, Independence should bring about the aspired outcome everyone eagerly expected. But, it is the responsibility of the citizen to work their ways toward these outcome. There is no ready made solution to the different problem Africa is facing. Overcoming these problems requires that the people be hardworking, vigilant and resilient. And the endurance of such commitment has a better chance when it is vested on the youth. The youth should prove themselves that they are up to the above challenges. Because what independence brought is the chance to bring about what colonialism prevented.

The national charter of Eritrea, clearly states that independence is as much a means as it is an end. Indeed as stipulated in our political programs during the struggle or after independence, building a peaceful and prosperous country when the people live in peace, security and harmony is the final goal. That is what the above opinions of the African people teach us; that even though generations before us fought for it, independence is not complete if it can not be translated to the improvement of people’s life.

Eritrea has come a long way since independence, which has only been 20 years. Much has been done, but a lot more needs to be done before we can claim we have accomplished the goals we set out to achieve in our struggle for independence. The youth of this country thus bear tremendous responsibility of acquiring a broad vision. We may be fortunate to be born and grow in an independent country but it only means that our goal now should lie in enhancing our land’s richness and growth.

So, with time the importance of Independence Day should not diminish. We should rather remember the responsibilities of building our country and protecting the privilege of freedom that was given to us by previous generations. And that will be the greatest gifts we can give to the generations to come. Proving our capacity to accomplish this responsibility is up to us, the youth. The Eritrea we envision cannot come otherwise.

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