W.E.B Du bois

In the twentieth century there has been a natural solidarity between Africans and Asians, between peoples of colour, between underdeveloped peoples, between colonized peoples. The black American pioneer of pan-Africanism. W.E.B. Du Bois, wrote as early as 1903: "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the colour-line, of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea." The idea of a world community of coloured peoples inspired many in both Africa and Asia in the colonial period. The worst days of white racial arrogance are captured in the powerful evocative rhetoric of Du Bois: 'Immediately in Africa a black back runs red with the blood of the lash; in India a brown girl is raped; in China a coolie starves; in Alabama seven darkies are more than lynched; while in London the white limbs of a prostitute are hung with Jewels and silk.'2

It was natural, then, that great and revolutionary events in Asia during the Second World War and in the immediate post-war period should have considerable political meaning for Africa.

The history of modern Japan provides an object lesson for all non-European peoples. Japan from the 1860s managed to modernize its economy and society along largely Western lines, and catch up with the West in technological achievements. This example inspired many people in Asia and Africa. Japan even succeeded in imitating the West as an imperial power.

By defeating Russia in 1905, Japan demonstrated, as the Ethiopians had done when they defeated Italy in 1896, that European power was not invincible. Then in the Second World War the Japanese overran South-East Asia, driving the British out of Hong Kong, Malaya and Burma, the Dutch out of Indonesia, and the Americans out of the Philippines. The fall of Singapore to the Japanese marked the worst defeat in British military history. The easternmost part of British India was invaded, and British Ceylon and French Madagascar were threatened with invasion.

However, the tide of war turned against the Japanese. They had attacked and temporarily disabled the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands in December 1941, thus bringing into the war against them the overwhelming technological and military might and abundant manpower of the United States. The Americans spent some time ticking their wounds and organizing themselves for the struggle. Then they defeated the Japanese in a series of mighty sea battles, reoccupied the Philippines, and finally brought the war to a sudden end by dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japan now came under American military occupation from 1945 until the 1950s. So in the immediate post-war period Japan exercised no direct political influence on Africa. Yet the minds of Africans, especially those who had fought in the British Army against the Japanese in Burma and India, could not but be deeply impressed by the military decline of the European colonial powers and the defeat of white men by yellow men.

Similarly, the French defeat by the North Vietnamese at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 had a resounding impact on Africa. Many thousands of African soldiers fought on the French side in the Indo-China War of 1946-54 which led to the independence of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Ben Bella, one of the leaders of the Algerian Revolution that broke out in 1954, received his military training as a sergeant in the French army in Indo-China, and political understanding from the Vietnamese victory. Another French serviceman in Indo-China, though he was less nationalist-inclined than Ben Bella, was Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic.

Indonesia, too, offered to Africa the inspiring example of successful armed resistance to colonialism and the Dutch were forced to concede independence in 1950 and 1951. Yet in practical terms of influence on Africa's new nationalist political movements after the war, India's impact on Africa has been greater than that of any other Asian country.

India, like much of Africa, actually formed part of the British Empire, so the bonds of anti-colonialism between Africa and India were more immediate. And a figure of immense international stature, Mahatma Gandhi, helped to shape the strategy of anti- colonialism in much of Africa through his ideas of non-violence or passive resistance.

India's impact on African nationalism was felt in West Africa sooner than in East Africa. The example of the Indian Congress Party had already inspired a number of educated West Africans to establish in 1920 the West African Congress, following a conference in Accra called by Casely Hayford, the distinguished Gold Coast barrister and a founding father of Ghanaian nationalism.

For a while the most admired aspect of the Indian National Movement was its apparent success in unifying diverse groups. In 1920 a pioneer nationalist paper in Nigeria had the following observations to make: 'West Africans have discovered today what the Indians . . . discovered 35 years ago, that placed as they were under the controlling influence of the foreign power, it was essential to their well-being that they should make a common cause and develop national unity. '3

In the 1940s and 1950s nationalist leaders in West Africa, like Dr Kwame Nkrumah of the Gold Coast and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of Nigeria (in the photo), affirmed their admiration of the anti-colonial movement in India and drew inspiration from that example. Gandhi had seen non-violence as a method which could be well suited for the black man as well as the Indian. He regarded the method as promising for both black Americans and Africans. In 1924 Gandhi said that if the black people 'caught the spirit of the Indian movement, their progress must be rapid'.4

By 1936 Gandhi was wondering whether black people, since they were in some ways the most humiliated of all peoples, might not be the best bearers of the banner of passive resistance. To use Gandhi's own words: 'It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message on non-violence will be delivered to the world.'5

Although this belief was not entirely vindicated by history, it was partially fulfilled. A significant number of black people both in Africa and the United States were inspired by Gandhi's methods of fighting for racial dignity. In the late 1940s Kwame Nkrumah was already recommending to his people in Gold Coast (now Ghana) the policy of what he called 'Positive Action' - 'the weapons were legitimate political agitation, newspaper and education campaigns, and, as a last resort, the constitutional application of strikes, boycotts, and non-cooperation based on the principle of absolute non-violence, as Used by Gandhi in India'.6 Nkrumah's Convention People's Party even adopted the Indian Congress Cap as their symbol.

Gandhi himself had first tried some of his tactics in South Africa while he lived there, and Nkrumah paid tribute to Gandhi for helping to initiate resistance to racism in South Africa through methods of non-violence and non-cooperation. Kenneth Kaunda in what was then called Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), was almost fanatical in his attachment to Gandhiism during the colonial period, Kaunda opposed absolutely the idea of violence as a method of attaining racial justice. Leaders like Kenya's Tom Mboya and Tanganyika's Julius Nyerere, though recognizing early the limitation of Gandhian methods in African conditions, nevertheless remained inspired by Gandhian ideals for quite a while.

A number of factors helped Gandhiism in winning converts in Africa.

1. One factor was Christian education, which had made a number of leaders in black Africa already favourably disposed towards strategies of non-violence. Gandhians like Kenneth Kaunda, Chief Albert Luthuli of South Africa, and Martin Luther King of black America, were also deeply devout Christians. At least in their cases Christian education was a good preparation for the reception of Gandhian ideals.

2. Another factor which helped Gandhiism to make converts in Africa was its apparent success in India itself, as concessions were made to the Indian nationalist movement by the British in the wake of the passive resistance, and eventually Indian independence was won.

3. A third factor was political realism. It was clear to many African leaders that a violent challenge to European rule was hazardous.

One reason why Nyerere's commitment was to a non-violent strategy of liberation in Tanganyika, was that many Tanganyikans remembered the Hehe and MajiMaji wars, when the superior military technology of the German colonialists had inflicted devastating casualties on the African resistance movement of that time. Nyerere was all too conscious of that lesson in history, and wanted to make sure that the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) became a mechanism for peaceful agitation and finally peaceful liberation:

It was therefore necessary for TANU to start by making the people understand that peaceful methods of struggle for independence were possible and could succeed. This does not mean that the people of this country were cowardly, particularly fond of non-violence; no, they knew fighting; they had been badly defeated and ruthlessly suppressed.7

The three factors, then, of Christian education, the success of the Indian struggle, and an African sense of realism as to what was possible under colonial conditions, prepared the way for African receptivity to Gandhian influence.

After Africa's independence Gandhi's influence in Africa declined rapidly, and the limitations of his methods for purposes of liberation in Southern Africa were recognized before long. Nevertheless Mahatma Gandhi remained a significant point of ideological contact between India and Africa in the last few decades of colonial rule in West, East and Central Africa.

India gave not merely Gandhian ideology to Africa, but also massive moral support in the field of international diplomacy. After its independence India became the leader of a large group of non-aligned lesser powers at the UN which demanded the end of colonialism throughout the world. The first big conference of non-aligned nations was held at Bandung in Indonesia in 1955, with Communist China also taking part.

Bandung marked not the end of colonial rule in Asia, but the beginning of the final phase in Africa's progress towards independence. Africa was represented at the conference by only a few independent nations, but observers were sent by the main nationalist parties of the Sudan, Gold Coast, South Africa and Algeria. The conference greatly encouraged African nationalists, made them feel less alone, and demonstrated dramatically the unity of the coloured peoples of the emerging Third World.

The contribution of Asia to the growth nationalism in Africa.

Japan linked her economic prosperity to absence of colonialism. In the 1860s. Japan had pushed off colonialists. Since then, she had developed into an economically and technologically strong state.

Asian nationalists destroyed the white man's invincibility. Colonialism in Africa had thrived on the black man's fear of the white man's military strength.

Africans adopted the method of Ghandism. While struggling for Asia's independence, Mahatma Ghandi the great Indian nationalist used non-violent methods.

Asians publicised the benefits of independence. The independent states of India Pakistan, Burma, Indonesia, Indo-China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan, started informing Africans about the benefits of Independence.

Asians contributed to militant nationalism in Africa. Between 1946 - 1954, the Vietnamese fought for their independence and defeated the French. This gave a good example to Ahmed Ben Bella and Jean Bedel Bokassa etc to start the military struggle in Africa.

Asians inspired Africans to struggle patiently. The story of the 28-year struggle for India's independence (1919-1947).

Asians extended financial and technical support to Africans. Asians had natural lover for Africans and sympathized with them a lot.

Asians criticised the denial of Independence to Africans. While colonial masters granted independence to Asian countries, they claimed that African countries were not yet mature for self-governance.

Asians appealed to the UNO to press Africa's independence. As most Asian states joined the UNO, they used it as a platform to condemn European colonialism in Africa.

Asian appealed to the UNO to process Africa's independence. Mahatma Ghandi of India had preached against colonialism using the Bible. He used the same to call for racial equality and end to oppression.

Asian countries organised the 1955 Bandung conference. Realizing the danger of cold war politics Nehru of India and Surkano of Indonesia called upon nationalists from Asia, Africa and the Middle East to meet at Bundang and discuss the way forward.

Asians inspired Africans to form political parties. Mahatma Ghandi had won India's independence through the mass mobilization. This inspired African elites to form mass political parties eg ANC South Africa,

Asians contributed to ethnic unity in Africa. The great danger to African nationalism had been micro-nationalism or parochialism.

Asians influenced British common wealth countries to support Africans. The British common wealth was an organisation for former British colonies all over the world.

Asian Literature inspired nationalistic ideas in Africa. There were a number of newsletters such as the "Green Pamphlet" of M. Ghandi, which condemned European colonialism in Asia and Africa.

Asians gave legal advice to African nationalists. For example the Indian Prime Minister Nehru instructed the Indian East African high Commissioner (resident in Nairobi) to give legal advice to Kenya's budding nationalists like Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya etc.

Asians provided further education to African nationalists. After acquiring independence, Asian countries extended scholarships to various African academicians who went to study in Asian Universities. These include, John Kakonge, Adoko Nekyon, Bidandi Ssali, Kintu Musoke and Kirunda Kivejinja all from Uganda.

The Chinese revolution of 1949 greatly inspired African nationalists. Under communist Mao Tsetung the Chinese defeated the forces of Chiang Kai-shek later financial and military support was given to the FRELIMO, ZANU, ANC, FLN.

Asian generosity inspired independent countries of Africa to extend assistance to comrades in struggle. Some nationalists like Nasser of Egypt who extended support to guerrillas of the FLN in Algeria.

Asian nationalists provided role models for African leaders. Most Asian leaders were men of integrity, sociable, determined, straightforward and not corrupt. These included Mahatma Ghandi of India and Mao Tse Tung of China.

The Role played by India in decolonising Africa.

British rule in India had been lengthy (1846-1947) and had been characterised by exploitation, oppression, discrimination, raping of Indian women, interference with India's culture etc. The Indian struggle for independence began during the 19^th Century but gained momentum during the 20^thnd World Wars. In 1947, India obtained independence and influenced African countries in the following ways: Century-more so, after the first and 2

It influenced African nationalists like Kaunda of Zambia to adopt the strategy of Ghandism or non-violence / passive resistance.

India delegates in the UNO constantly supported the African quest for independence.

African nationalists adopted the strategy of mob justice, which Indians had used effectively, for example Nkrumah mobilized Ghanaians to cut down and burn cocoa trees and rubber plantations owned by the British.

Africans learnt the value of unity in diversity i.e the coming together of various ethnicities to fight for independence.

African Soldiers who served in the British army in India learnt about Britain's invincibility.

The Prime Minister of India, Nehru, sent and Indian army, which drove he Portuguese out of Goa. This led to the upsurge of nationalism I Portuguese colonies in Africa.

Indian Literature inspired African nationalists into action for example Ghandi's Green Pamphlet.

India inspired the common wealth countries to support decolonisation in Africa.

African nationalists took up India's non-alignment ideology.

After independence, Nehru gave a speech in which he declared that he would help Africans achieve their independence using all means and resources at India's disposal.

India's patience during the struggle for independence was emulated by a number of African liberation groups.

India gave financial and legal assistance to African nationalists for example A.B Pant who gave such assistance to nationalists in Kenya and other East African countries.

Asian intellectuals challenged Africa intellectuals to wake up and lead the struggles for self-determination.

India's leaders gave advice to individual nationalists in Africa for example Nehru's invitation to Milton Obote of Uganda.

India provided Scholarships to African students to go and study from India where they got friends, ideas, funds and arms.

 

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2 W.E.B. Du Bois. Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-85, first published 1935; 2nd ed. The World Publishing Co.. New York, 1964, p. 728.

3 Lagos Weekly Record, 20 April 1920.

4 Young Indian, 21 August 1924.

5 Harijan, 4 March 1936.

6 Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana, p. 92-

7 Julius K. Nyerere, freedom and Unity, Oxford University Press, 1967, pp. 2-3-