Africa’s Reawakening: The Unstoppable Pursuit of Freedom and Self-Determination

Freedom is not given; it is claimed. These words, echoed by the legendary Harriet Tubman, resonate deeply across Africa today as the continent undergoes a profound transformation. From the Sahel to the Ivory Coast, a new wave of resistance against neo-colonial puppetry is sweeping the land. Leaders installed by foreign powers are being uprooted, and in their place, soldiers and revolutionaries who actually fought for their nations are taking charge. This is not mere political upheaval—it is a reclamation of sovereignty, a defiant statement that Africa will no longer be a victim.

One of the most striking developments in recent years has been the rise of leaders like Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré, a man who initially faced skepticism but has since proven his commitment to true independence. Under his leadership, Burkina Faso has rejected foreign manipulation in all its forms, including the subtle influence of religious soft power. When Saudi Arabia offered to build 200 mosques in the country, Traoré saw the proposal for what it was—an attempt to expand ideological and economic control. More mosques mean more religious influence, more pilgrimages to Mecca, and more money flowing out of Africa and into foreign hands. This same pattern is visible with the spread of churches and Buddhist temples funded by external powers. Traoré’s refusal was a bold assertion that Africa’s future must be shaped by Africans, not by foreign agendas.

The Ivory Coast has also joined this movement, ousting a dictator who served foreign interests rather than his own people. Across the continent, the era of Western-backed strongmen is crumbling. In Cameroon, the absurd reality that the president resides not in his own country but in France exposes the farce of so-called African leadership under colonial influence. How can a president govern a nation from another continent? The answer is simple: he doesn’t. He is a placeholder, a puppet ensuring that the extraction of African resources continues uninterrupted. But the people are no longer accepting this charade.

Perhaps one of the most significant shifts is the realignment of North African nations with the rest of the continent. For decades, countries like Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya identified more closely with the Arab world, often neglecting their African roots. Now, a growing sense of Pan-African solidarity is taking hold. These nations are beginning to recognize that their future lies not in distant alliances but in unity with their brothers and sisters south of the Sahara. This is a monumental shift—one that weakens the divide-and-rule tactics used by external powers for centuries.

The question now is: What happens next? The next decade will be decisive. If African nations do not seize this moment to build self-sufficient economies, strong militaries, and independent political systems, they will remain trapped in the same cycle of exploitation. The choice is clear—either Africa builds its own future, or it continues to build the wealth of others. The time for blind acceptance of foreign aid is over. Every dollar, every loan, every so-called "gift" comes with strings attached. Nothing is free.

This is the lesson Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, and others are teaching the world: Freedom is taken, not given. The people are rising, and no amount of foreign interference can stop what has already begun. The revolution is here. The only question left is who will join it—and who will be left behind.