The International Organization of Migrants (IOM) says thousands of Africans have perished in Mediterranean Sea as they cross the Mediterranean to Europe looking for better livelihoods in Europe.
This has prompted to call on Africans to liberate their minds and satisfy more of their needs other than considering themselves as inferior to Europeans and they end up promoting neo-colonialism.
Various messages on building Africa inducing pride among its people were conveyed yesterday by experts in education sector, students from different Rwanda universities among others during the celebration of African Liberation Day held at the headquarters of the University of Rwanda at the College of Business and Economics.
The African Liberation Day is celebrated every 25th May, with connection to 25th May 1963 when the Organization of African Union (OAU) with 31 African independent countries at the time.
The president of Pan-African Movement in Rwanda, Protais Musoni said that Africans need to liberate their minds other than perceiving themselves as an inferior people and requested the youth to play a big role in that journey.
Musoni said that even although Africa is celebrating independence, some countries like Réunion and Western Sahara are still under colonial rule.
“There are some among us that are still colonized in the mind thinking that the best place is Europe while a beautiful place can be created in Africa. Those who are liberated will keep working day and night to ensure that Africa is transformed into a progressive continent,” he said.
“We must be pleased with progress made in rescuing Africans from diseases, poverty and underdevelopment. We must understand that it is our responsibility and we must work together to make it possible,” added Musoni.
Africans are not weak people
Prof. Nelson Ijumba, the university deputy vice-chancellor for academic affairs highlighted that real Africans’ liberation must be hinged on knowledge. “The fight of the war using bullets ended. Africans must strive to liberate their minds. We must concentrate on political courses so that our youth become proud of being Africans,” he said.
The Tanzanian ambassador to Rwanda, Ali Idi Siwa said that African countries have demonstrated their vision through the program known as “Agenda 2063”leading to ‘Africa we all want’.
He said that all countries must work together to defeat necessities.This year’s theme was “Women and youth on top to liberate Africa”.
The youth has been asked to prioritize needed transformations for “Africa to create a paradise it needs other than dying in Mediterranean Sea seeking a heaven created by others”
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