IT IS CONTINUOUS: IMPERIALISM IN TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY AFRICA: LIBYA IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The struggle for wealth and natural resources is not new in the history of Africa. From the days of Alexander in Macedonia in the 4th century B.C., the looting of African knowledge and resources of any sort has been continuous. The vulnerability of Africa to the whims and caprices of the ceaseless invasions by the European imperialists is not unconnected to the continued Scientific and Industrial Revolution and expansionism. The invention of sophisticated weapons of mass destruction, helped to ensure the subjection of the weaker nations under the monitored influence of the stronger military European nations. The invention of technologically advanced weapons of mass destruction, the atomic bombs, the precision bombers, the unmanned drones and the inexhaustible list of many others, accounts for increased new militarized imperialism. This paper argues that the existing gap in the knowledge of science and technology puts Africa and indeed all the developing nations in a grossly disadvantaged position. The matter is further worsened by the inability of Africa to close this knowledge gap and evolve a strong indigenous defensive mechanism. The absence of strong Black Brigade of the European type and nuclear war-heads is responsible for the ever increasing militarization of European imperialism against Africa. It submits that what Africa needs most is strong leadership that will invest in raising human resources for improved indigenous scientific knowledge and a strong Organization of African Black Power (OABP). Strong leadership and army are desiderata to Africa’s protection and political/economic development. Failure to invest in the development of such institutions, militarized imperialism would be a continuum. This paper adopts descriptive analysis of data which are presented in time perspective.