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From: samuel Igbu (ypfdjbc@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Apr 05 2011 - 18:07:46 EDT
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
fi fty 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 defi ned 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 fi nal 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
-- Sincerely *YPFDJ British Columbia Chapter* YPFDJ Goal and Purpose- Our goal is to build a strong, conscious and patriotic youth movement.
Our purpose is:
- To raise the awareness and level of organisation of Eritrean youth to serve our nation - To reassert the identity, patriotism and unity of Eritrean youth - To promote the participation of Eritrean Youth in the national reconstruction of Eritrea as well as guarding the sovereignty of Eritrea - To enhance the position and influence of Eritrean Youth in their respective countries of residence.
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