Africa cannot be free under foreign domination — Socialist Movement Ghana

The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) has called for renewed Pan-African solidarity and economic liberation across the continent as Africa marked this year’s Africa Liberation Day on May 25.

According to the movement, although many African countries have attained political independence, the continent remains economically dependent on foreign powers, multinational corporations and international financial institutions.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the group said Africa continues to struggle with unemployment, inequality, privatization, debt dependency and poor access to basic social services despite its vast natural resources.

“Leaders and movements across Africa understood that political independence without economic sovereignty would leave Africa vulnerable to exploitation by imperial powers, multinational corporations, and local elites aligned with foreign interests,” portions of the statement read.

The SMG argued that African economies continue to be controlled through unfair trade systems, debt regimes and foreign interference, leaving millions of citizens without quality healthcare, housing, education, electricity and clean water.

The movement also condemned the rise in xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant violence in South Africa targeted at other Africans living in the country.

It argued that African migrants should not be blamed for unemployment, poverty and crime, noting that the real causes of hardship are rooted in inequality, corruption, austerity and economic systems that favour a privileged few.

“Pan-Africanism cannot coexist with xenophobia. An injury to one African is an injury to all Africans,” the statement stressed.

The group further called on governments, trade unions, student groups and social movements across Africa to reject tribalism, chauvinism and division, and instead promote solidarity among African people.

The SMG also advocated democratic control of Africa’s natural resources, cancellation of illegitimate debts, investment in public services, protection of workers’ rights, climate justice and resistance against neo-colonial domination.

It added that Africa Liberation Day should serve as a call to action towards building “a united, socialist, democratic, and self-reliant Africa.”