African Independence Just Political

………..But Not Economic- Ali Hassan

The former President of the People’s Republic of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi has lamented that even though many African countries have independence what they have is just political independence but not economic independence.

According to the 2nd President of Tanzania “the attainment of political independence by the African countries did not lead to economic independence. African countries soon realized that there was still a long road towards attaining economic independence.”

Mr. Ali Hassan Mwinyi made this observation when addressing the Pan African Parliament on the occasion of the commemoration of the 50th independence of seventeen (17) African countries including Nigeria. He noted that despite the fact that most African countries have attained independence, there is still the colonization of the Western Sahara which remains the unfinished business of the political emancipation of Africa.

He added that, the African continent is also faced with the scourge of conflicts, the ravages of HIV/AIDs, climate change and others. All these he underscored have contributed to the economic woes of the continent in spite of its independence.

He indicated that as the 17 countries mark 50years of independence, Africa must use the occasion to institute a culture of respect for democracy, good governance and human rights. These challenges according to him must be vividly addressed by the African union and its organs.

He urged the Pan-African Parliament to take up the task of ensuring that these eminent issues are properly dealt with for the betterment of the entire continent.