Africa'S Task Is To Struggle Against Imperialism

Date: 1959-02-21
Source: en:FLP-Diplomacy
AFRICA'S TASK IS TO STRUGGLE
AGAINST IMPERIALISM*
{February 21, 1959)
The task for all of Africa is to struggle against imperialism, against those
who follow imperialism, rather than to struggle against capitalism or establish
socialism. Anyone proposing to establish socialism in Africa would be making
a mistake. The fact is that imperialism, relying on its running dogs, has allied
with some Africans to oppress Africa. The nature of the revolution there is a
bourgeois democratic revolution, not a proletarian socialist revolution. On the
whole, the struggle of all Africa is a protracted one. First, please do not think
of immediate victory or an overnight triumph; be prepared for a prolonged
struggle. If one is not ideologically prepared for prolonged struggle when
imperialism is so powerful, one may be disappointed. Second, please rely
mainly on your own efforts, seeking foreign assistance only as a subsidiary. I
have these two suggestions for you to consider. I am not familiar with the
situation in Africa, nor am I an African. I shall just air my own views for your
reference.
The present revolution in Africa is a struggle against imperialism and a
national liberation movement. It is a question of national liberation rather than
communism; on that we all agree. There are two other points: one is the
question of a quick or slow victory. There are only these two possibilities, quick
or slow victory. If you are prepared for both, you will not feel disappointed.
The other is the question of what force to rely on. Is Africa to be liberated by
relying on foreign countries or by relying on the African people themselves?
To liberate Africa, it is essential to rely on the African people. African affairs
should be run by the Africans themselves by relying on the forces of African
people; in the meantime they should make friends throughout the world,
including China. China certainly supports you. Whether these two points are
right or not is for you to ponder over.
* This is the main part of Mao Zedong's talk to representatives of the Union of the
Populations of Cameroon and of the youths of Guinea, Kenya and Madagascar.
It seems that present Africa is quite different from past Africa. After the
Second World War the anti-imperialist movement in Africa developed greatly
in 1958. It is expected that the anti-imperialist movement will develop faster
in the future. There is no doubt that various countries will help you. The
people of various countries, particularly socialist countries and countries that
have won independence, will certainly assist and support you. You need
support as much as we and all the socialist countries need it. Who is to support
us? The national liberation movement in Asia, Africa and Latin America is the
main force supporting us. The working class in western Europe supports us
too. Support is therefore a mutual matter. Your anti-imperialist movement is
a support to us. It is a support to you when the Soviet Union and China have
done well. You may think of China as your friend. We are checking
imperialism to divert its forces, so it will not be able to concentrate its forces
on oppressing Africa.
(From the verbatim record)