PAN-AFRICANISM AND THE THREAT OF TERRORISM: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL

Sirajudeen Owosho

Abstract


The  crusade  for  a  formidable  Pan-Africanism  has  been  an  age  long  project  in  the  annals  of  the  struggle  for  African  emancipation.  However  the  project  has  witnessed  more  rhetoric  than  action. The  African  continent  has  been  severely  plagued  by  political  and  economic  instability  and  endemic  poverty.  The  level  of  corruption  and  insecurity  in  the  continent  is  so  worrisome  that  even  Africans  in  the  diaspora  have  been  discouraged  from  making  meaningful  contribution  to  the  development  projects  in  the  continent.  The  most  recent  is  the  menace  of  terrorism.  Terrorism  continues  to  be  one  of  the  most  serious  threats  to  peace  and  security  in  Africa.  The  continent  has  and continues to pay a heavy toll for these outrageous and criminal acts, which have resulted  in  mass  casualties,  destruction  of  infrastructure,  loss  of  livelihood  and  displacements.  These  among  other  problems  are  some  of  the  fundamental  obstacles  militating  against  the  realization  of  the  desired  goal  of  the  project.  It  is  against  this  background that this paper makes a philosophical appraisal of Pan-Africanism in the new  millennium.  This  paper  aims  at  tackling  these  challenges  and  re-awakeningAfricans,   particularly,   African   leaders   on   the   fundamental   objectives   of   Pan-Africanism.  It  recognizes  terrorism  as  a  global  threat,  requiring  commitment  at  all  levels. It emphasizes the critical importance of cooperation and collaboration with the international  partners  in  other  to  defeat  terrorism.  It  further  suggests  leadership  training with emphasis on moral education for African leaders. It posits that, only in a community  of  people  with  moral  rectitude  and  unflinching  collective  will  can  Pan-Africanism  attain  greater  heights  that  would  guarantee  enduring  socio-economic security and political stability in Africa.

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References


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