Time for liberation movements to rebuild trust, rethink strategy

IOL News

4 days ago

Liberation movement leaders at the summit hosted by the African National Congress on July 25-27 in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
Image: ANC/X
Dr. Reneva Fourie
Many South Africans failed to appreciate the relevance of the Liberation Movements Summit, held in Johannesburg from 25 to 28 July. In an era marked by widespread public disappointment and growing criticism, the very premise of such a gathering appeared, they argued, outdated if not entirely obsolete.
Movements such as South Africa's ANC, Mozambique's FRELIMO, Namibia's SWAPO, Angola's MPLA and others are not conventional political parties. Their legitimacy was not conferred solely through elections. It was earned through generations of collective resistance, sacrifice and clarity of purpose in the face of colonialism and apartheid. They were forged in the trenches of anti-colonial struggle and shaped by the convictions of those who believed in dignity, equality and justice.
However, in the years since the dawn of democracy, these once-powerful connections to the people have frayed. The post-liberation period has, for many citizens, become associated less with freedom and opportunity, and more with corruption, inequality and governance failures. In the wake of immense sacrifice and hard-won liberation, the urgent and deeply complex question confronting Southern Africa's former liberation movements is whether they have eroded their moral authority through complacency, self-enrichment and detachment from the aspirations of the people.
The Liberation Movement Summit sought to confront these realities directly. It did not offer a platform for nostalgic celebration but one for critical reflection and collaborative renewal. Its central assertion was that historical legitimacy cannot excuse present failures. Rather, it is only through meaningful action, grounded in principle and delivered with urgency, that these movements can continue to play a relevant role in shaping their societies.
The summit occurred within an increasingly unstable global environment. The declining coherence of the neoliberal project, further unravelling through the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and destabilisation across West Asia, has disrupted many of the ideological assumptions that underpinned global governance for the past three decades. Added to this is the rise of narrow nationalism, a retreat into bilateralism and the erosion of respect for international law, particularly by powerful Western states.
This evolving landscape has profound implications for the continent. African states face increased vulnerability to external manipulation, regime-change agendas and exploitative economic arrangements. The summit, therefore, was necessary to provide a space for shared analysis, introspection and strategic coordination to enhance sovereignty and to assert a united voice in shaping a more just and inclusive global order.
However, it was not only external pressures that required attention. Internally, liberation movements face complex democratic terrains that demand new forms of engagement. Factors such as declining electoral support, shifting generational political identities, and the enduring impact of structural inequality, poverty, unemployment and insecurity required thoughtful responses.
The situation in Sudan was referenced as a painful example of how internal contradictions, if unresolved, can be exploited by external actors and descend into devastating conflict. It served as a reminder that liberation is not a singular event, but an ongoing process that requires vigilance, renewal and integrity.
The summit's focus on democratic sustainability, effective governance, economic transformation and international solidarity was not incidental. It signalled a clear understanding that liberation must be understood as a living project.
One of the central issues raised was the growing gap between political rhetoric and implementation. Widespread dissatisfaction does not stem from a lack of vision. It stems from the failure to translate that vision into material change. Inadequate socio-economic development, deteriorating public services, and perceptions of systemic corruption have undermined the legitimacy of former liberation parties. Where liberation once promised dignity, many now experience marginalisation.
Discontent is particularly acute among young people and women. These are not marginal constituencies. They were at the centre of liberation struggles and remain central to any democratic renewal. Yet they are often excluded from decision-making spaces. The summit emphasised that genuine empowerment must move beyond rhetoric. It requires shifts in institutional culture, the opening up of leadership opportunities and policy frameworks that respond to the realities and capabilities of young people and women.
The summit also reaffirmed the enduring relevance of international solidarity. While formal colonialism has ended, other forms of domination persist through financial dependence, extractive corporate practices and systemic inequality in global institutions. Collective resistance remains necessary. Regional cooperation is essential not only for economic development but for protecting sovereignty and pursuing peace on the continent's terms.
By revisiting the principle of Pan-Africanism and anchoring itself within a broader vision of progressive internationalism, the summit resisted the idea that liberation movements are simply relics of a past era. It positioned them as political institutions still capable of shaping the future, provided they act with courage, humility and commitment to the people they claim to serve.
In this sense, the summit was not a retreat into history. It was an attempt to reframe the liberation narrative to meet current realities. It outlined a multidimensional approach, encompassing accountability in governance, inclusivity in political participation, innovation in economic policy, and coherence in international engagement.
The chosen theme, 'Defending the liberation gains, advancing integrated socio-economic development, strengthening solidarity for a better Africa', was both affirmation and provocation. It affirmed the commitments that guided the anti-colonial struggle, while insisting that the defence of those gains cannot rely on slogans. It must be evidenced in action.
The political renewal required is not superficial. It cannot be achieved through new slogans or minor adjustments. It requires deep institutional reform, alignment with democratic values and a reconnection to the needs and aspirations of the people. If this does not occur, these movements risk losing not only electoral support but also their historical legitimacy.
Even so, the summit offered a timely opportunity to regroup and recommit. It provided a forum to rethink strategy, rebuild trust and begin crafting a credible future. If these movements can confront their shortcomings with honesty, implement their commitments with discipline and listen to their people with sincerity, they may yet remain relevant in the evolving story of African freedom.
* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.