Africa’s Fight for Sovereignty: From Colonial Rule to Modern Resistance

By Lang Fafa Dampha

Africa’s long and complex journey through foreign domination reveals a striking paradox: the very systems meant to erase African sovereignty have often sparked powerful resistance movements, shaping the continent’s continuing struggle for self-determination. This article traces how African resistance to foreign control—beginning with the transatlantic slave trade, through colonial rule, and into the current era of neo-colonial dependency—has been a consistent force pushing for liberation, unity and authentic sovereignty. Three Pillars of Sovereignty At the heart of African nationalism lies a broader view of sovereignty that goes beyond independence flags and constitutions. It includes: Material Sovereignty: Colonialism robbed Africans of land, labour, and resources. European powers expropriated about 90 million hectares of land, shifting economies to serve European needs. This legacy of dependence continues, as many post-colonial states struggle to reclaim control over their natural wealth. Epistemic Sovereignty: Colonisers suppressed African languages, traditions, and systems of knowledge. Thinkers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Amílcar Cabral highlighted the importance of cultural revival in the liberation struggle. African nationalism today continues to push for indigenous education and intellectual autonomy. Governance Sovereignty: European-imposed borders and administrative systems fractured Africa politically. Despite independence, 68% of African states retained colonial boundaries. Visionaries like Kwame Nkrumah promoted pan-Africanism as a path to real unity and sovereignty. Colonialism's Lasting Structures Colonialism was more than political domination—it reshaped African society, economics and knowledge. It institutionalised inequality through: Land Seizures: In settler colonies, such as Kenya and Algeria, up to 90% of fertile land was seized by Europeans. Economic Extraction: Infrastructure was built to export African raw materials, not develop local economies. France, for instance, extracted 45% of West Africa’s GDP in the late 1930s. Legal and Cultural Displacement: African governance systems were replaced with foreign laws, marginalising indigenous systems and leaders. Even post-independence, many African states remained trapped in colonial-era legal, economic and institutional frameworks. As theorist Aníbal Quijano argued, colonial power survives through “coloniality”—the continued dominance of Western systems in education, governance, and global relations. Resistance is Ongoing African resistance has evolved—from early uprisings like the Ashanti Wars and Mau Mau rebellion, to modern movements challenging global institutions. Today’s forms of resistance include Afro-feminism, digital pan-Africanism, and economic self-reliance campaigns. What’s clear is that African nationalism has never been static. It is not a relic of the past, but a dynamic force reshaping the present and future. In resisting both colonial and neo-colonial domination, Africans continue to assert their right to define their own identities, economies, and political destinies. Conclusion Rather than depicting Africa as a passive victim of external forces, this analysis highlights the continent’s deep-rooted tradition of resistance and self-assertion. African nationalism, in its evolving forms, remains a key vehicle for political dignity, cultural revival, and economic justice. As long as global systems continue to reproduce the legacies of empire, Africa’s fight for true sovereignty remains unfinished—but far from defeated.