A renewed debate is gaining traction across African social and political circles, with commentators arguing that internal betrayal by African leaders has played a greater role in the continent’s challenges than neocolonial influence alone.
The discussion, circulating widely on social media and opinion platforms, points to the experiences of prominent African leaders such as Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Advocates of this view contend that both leaders, despite their flaws, were undermined not only by foreign interests but also by Africans who collaborated with external powers or prioritized personal and political gain over continental unity.
Kwame Nkrumah, a leading architect of Pan-Africanism, was overthrown in a 1966 coup while abroad, an event many historians say involved both foreign intelligence agencies and local actors. Similarly, the 2011 collapse of Gaddafi’s rule in Libya is often cited as a case where regional divisions and internal alliances contributed to the downfall of a government that had positioned itself as a champion of African independence and integration.
Supporters of this argument say the pattern reflects a deeper issue within African governance, where internal rivalries, corruption and elite self-interest have repeatedly weakened states and movements that sought to reduce external domination. They argue that focusing solely on neocolonialism risks obscuring the responsibility of African actors in perpetuating instability and underdevelopment.
Others caution against oversimplifying complex historical events, noting that external intervention, Cold War politics and global economic pressures have also played decisive roles. Nonetheless, the debate has resonated strongly among young Africans and Pan-African thinkers, many of whom are calling for greater accountability, ethical leadership and unity as the continent confronts ongoing political and economic challenges.
The conversation reflects a broader reassessment of Africa’s post-independence history, with growing calls to confront uncomfortable truths about internal complicity alongside external influence.
