Post-Colonial Challenges & African Independence Paths
Colonial Legacy: Problems of New Countries
Newly decolonized countries faced serious problems, both economic and political. Some were inherited from the decolonization process itself, while others stemmed from difficulties integrating into the international system and achieving internal stability.
Key limitations included:
- Economic Impoverishment: Characterized by low per capita income levels, the prevalence of the primary sector, and very low economic growth.
- Lack of Infrastructure: A major problem was the deficiency in health and educational structures.
- Political Instability: Attempts to copy Western liberal democratic or communist political models often failed, leading to dictatorships, frequently military ones, in many countries.
- Internal Conflicts: The formation of countries with significant ethnic, religious, and cultural heterogeneity generated numerous internal conflicts.
- Border Disputes: The decolonization process itself caused international conflicts due to disagreements over boundary delineations, which often prioritized the interests of the colonial powers over the realities of the new nations.
Formation of the Third World
A group of countries emerged suffering from economic underdevelopment and poverty. Many of these were states born from decolonization. The concept of the Third World was defined in contrast to:
- The First World: Developed capitalist countries.
- The Second World: Socialist countries.
Another term referring to this group was “underdeveloped countries.” The expression North-South divide also arose to describe this global economic disparity.
Colonial Economy’s Transition to Independence
The roots of underdevelopment in these new countries often trace back to colonial domination. During the colonial era, viable market development and genuine economic modernization were generally not promoted in the territories. This economic legacy, combined with political instability, hindered progress in many of these nations.
The conditions required to initiate economic development became increasingly complex. The need for industrial equipment, substantial capital investment for financing equipment and installations, and qualified labor were often unattainable for these newly independent states.
Decolonization and Africa
In the Maghreb region, the path to independence was largely traumatic, especially for Algeria. The process spanned a significant period, starting with Morocco’s independence in 1956 and concluding with Spain’s withdrawal from Western Sahara in 1975.
Algeria
Initially, the French government conceded a status of autonomy to Algeria. However, discontent among the Muslim population grew. In 1954, the National Liberation Front (FLN) was created, advocating armed struggle to achieve independence. The ensuing war was prolonged because the French government dedicated enormous effort to retaining Algeria for several reasons:
- Pressure from the French settler population in the colony.
- The political prestige associated with maintaining such a significant colonial territory.
- The economic interests of French companies in Algeria.
The return to power of General de Gaulle and the establishment of the Fifth French Republic marked a shift. The new government began talks in 1961, culminating in the concession of independence in 1962.
Morocco
Moroccan independence had different features compared to Algeria. France exercised authority indirectly through local authorities, namely the Sultan. Direct French presence and economic investment were relatively low, making French interest in the area not comparable to that in Algeria.
Western Sahara
The decolonization of Western Sahara was complicated; the UN was never able to hold a planned referendum on independence. Decolonization resulted largely from pressure from the Moroccan government, which openly desired the territory. With Spanish dictator Franco gravely ill, the Moroccan government organized the so-called Green March towards the Saharan frontier in 1975. Spain, weakened by Franco’s illness and unwilling to wage a colonial war, opted to withdraw and cede the territory to Morocco and Mauritania, a transfer formalized in the Madrid Accords.