Liberation movements unite against Western interference in African affairs

News24

28-07-2025

Tebogo Letsie
Liberation movements from six African countries gathered in Johannesburg to strengthen unity against Western interference.
Leaders warned that external forces are attempting to divide African countries and recapture the continent economically.
Presidents pledged continued resistance to colonialism while defending democratic gains and pursuing socioeconomic development goals.
Several heads of state whose liberation movements now serve as governing parties in their respective countries gathered in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, over the weekend. They reflected on their roles in the struggle for freedom and recommitted to unity while defending democratic gains against neo-colonialism.
The delegates also reflected on their role in improving and uplifting the standard of living on the continent.
The ANC hosted the gathering, which included liberation movements Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from Tanzania, Frelimo from Mozambique, Swapo from Namibia, Zanu-PF from Zimbabwe and MPLA from Angola.
They were supported by allies from other countries, including the communist parties of China, Russia, Cuba and Algeria.
Apart from internal political issues gripping the organisations, the leaders of the political parties also identified the interference of Western countries in African affairs.
They blamed external forces from the West for fuelling divisions on the continent.
In a united front, the parties, which were mostly represented by their presidents, vowed not to allow colonialists to recapture the continent through economic and other sanctions.
President of Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa, warned that united they stand, but divided they would fall.
'Unity, cooperation and solidarity among us as liberation parties must realise maximum benefits. To achieve this, it is critically important that we address contradictions within our respective parties and the overall body politic.
'Divergent views and strategies need not cause fractures detrimental to the revolution. Our colossal movements must remain bigger than individuals.'
He said counter-revolutionary forces have doubled up on antics to divide and fragment their movements.
In what is perceived as a direct response to the latest sanctions by US President Donald Trump, Mnangagwa said the external forces have been unrelenting in their nefarious quest to obliterate liberation movements from the political radar in the region.
However, we must remain emboldened by our rich liberation history, which is our greatest teacher. The millions of people who look to liberation movements with hope for a better tomorrow should be a source of inspiration
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Mnangagwa said democracy, freedom and independence did not come on a silver platter.
'The infrastructure that denied us democracy and independence has mutated and expresses itself in numerous forms. These include interference in the internal affairs of our parties and governments; sabotage of our economies; and, at worst, covert support of conflict and war in our jurisdictions,' he said.
Mnangagwa said the liberation movement needs the same vigour and energy that defeated the colonial powers to defeat them again.
'We defeated them in the past, and we shall defeat them again, and again and again. Through our unity and unbreakable solidarity, victory is always certain,' he said.
He emphasised that they have a sacred duty and responsibility to retain power to advance the people's agenda.
'The fruits of our independence and freedom translate to affordable education, healthcare, transport, water and sanitation, among other basic social services. Let us not shy away from looking at new financing models and partnerships to deliver on our mandates,' he said.
The president of Namibia and Swapo, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, concurred with Mnangagwa and said that there were concerted efforts by those who were opposed to independence, who masqueraded in economic, political and diplomatic conspiracies to undermine the gains of the revolution.
'They are motivated, as we are all aware, by both domestic and foreign policy interests and actively seek to undermine the political dominance of our liberation parties, with the long-term objective of weakening and unseating us from power altogether,' she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said those external forces wanted to divide and conquer while extracting the wealth of the continent to benefit their countries.
Their target is always our youth, who are the majority voters in our countries. The outcomes of most of our recent elections in our respective countries are clear warnings that should not be taken lightly
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Nandi-Ndaitwah said their resoluteness has bruised the ego of the former occupying powers as colonial masters who seek to avenge the humiliation they suffered from African national liberation movements.
She said that, for Swapo, the liberation movement summit granted them an opportunity to reaffirm their resolve to defend the hard-won gains of national liberation, advance integrated socioeconomic development and strengthen Pan-African unity in the face of escalating global challenges.
'Today, unlike in the past, we face complex and unprecedented challenges, including socioeconomic inequalities, high youth unemployment, migration pressures, and the rise of populist and reactionary forces, all intensified by a global scramble for Africa's critical resources, including Namibia's vast mineral wealth,' she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah condemned the imperialist ambitions, which she said were demonstrated by policies that seek to divide Africa and exploit its resources for AI, digital technology and green energy.
She said their strength should not only lie in resisting external threats but also in their ability to hold each other's hands and hold one another accountable as sister parties.
In his closing remarks, President Cyril Ramaphosa said liberation movements should refuse to accept colonialism as fate.
He said the liberation movements have a rich history that made the mountains shake and empires tremble.
'We also recall that the project to dismantle apartheid, racism, colonialism and hate was one which profited from international solidarity with the OAU Liberation Committee as well as the progressive diaspora and friends at the forefront,' he said.
Ramaphosa reminded the delegates that the struggles were not simply for political independence but for the total liberation of their people: economic, cultural, intellectual and social.
We must ask ourselves: Are our movements still vehicles of justice, or have they become platforms for status and convenience? Let us renew our ideological clarity. Let us reclaim the narrative of transformation. Let us reaffirm our commitment to international solidarity, not as a memory of the past but as a living force for change in the present and future
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa
He said they would need to double down on their current approach to international relations within the southern African region. That approach would be informed by their historical experience and relationships with the Frontline States that were forged during their protracted years of struggle for liberation against racism, colonialism and apartheid.
'We have also noted the growing tendencies of unilateralism. These right-wing populist-led tendencies undermine global collective decision-making and, if left unfettered, stand to undermine global peace and security,' he said.
Ramaphosa said they could not afford to let these fractures deepen.
'Therefore, solidarity demands that we recommit to multilateralism and dialogue. Equality requires us to confront the stark disparities between the Global North and Global South, and sustainability is the cornerstone of our collective future,' he said.
He said there was a renewed scramble for Africa by both traditional and emerging powers.
The challenge has become more nuanced. These nuances have taken political, economic and military dimensions. Thus, in navigating these new global realities, we must continue to be guided by the principles that have guided our movements. These include self-determination, anti-imperialism, social and economic justice, and the pursuit of equality and freedom
Cyril Ramaphosa
The summit was concluded with an exchange of pleasantries among the liberation movements.
The ANC closed the summit by handing over the leadership to the CCM of Tanzania, which is scheduled to host the forthcoming summit.