How widespread is Marxism in African countries today?

A red stone statue of Karl Marx stands at the campus square of Addis Ababa University in the capital of Ethiopia.

German philosopher and author of many works such as “Dis Capital” laid the foundation of the extent of communism worldwide.

Marks was born May 5, 1818.

In 1975 the Ethiopian regime embraced the idea of Marxism-lenism. Even today, museums serve as reminders of Marxist ideology in some public spaces.

The Derg regime of Ethiopia was brutal using Marxist rhetoric”, University of London professor Michael Jennings said. Marx's ideas were used to justify the revolution.

There were other African thinkers who called for political reforms based on the European Social model, especially the founder of Tanzania, Julius Neyerère. On the eve of independence from Britain in 1961, and with the help of Wyama ʹ a concept translated into extended ʹfamily, or ʹbrothership, in Swahili he tried to impose economic autonomy.

According to Jennings, African socialism was the most widespread in Tanzania, where it held its influence in the 1980s, reports “DW” Transmission Periscope.

Today, what remains of the socialist ideology in Africa? Since the collapse of European socialism, small traces have remained, says African expert Ahmed Rajab.

<x) Very few Africans understand what Marxism means”

In particular, it was the elite of Africa that adopted socialism. Some have studied in the cities of colonial powers or in the then Soviet Union.

The role of Marxism in liberation movements, however, was limited. Some of the African liberation movements were influenced by Marx. But for the development of African socialism, this was not as important as it was for Europe”, Jennings said.

Nierres' country in Tanzania was not the only socialist country in Africa. Post-colonial leaders such as Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia, Kwame Ncrommah in Ghana, Leopold Senghor in Senegal, Modib Keita in Mali, Matheiu Kerrecu in Benin, and Sekou Toure in Guinea were also advocates of socialist ideology.

In Africa, there were already barriers that prevented socialism from flourishing. The conditions for growing industrial and agricultural production based on the socialist model were not applicable in countries of poor Africa. In Europe, socialism was based on clashes between the working class and farmers against the debtors. In Africa, there was no strong industry, no organized workforce. The arable land was largely undermined by traditional authorities.

In the 1970s things were different: Countries such as Tanzania were rigorous in their efforts to realise their socialist vision. Finally, they worked harder for beliefs than for socialist principles. Perhaps the most important legacy of socialism in many African countries is the authoritarian state. /Periscopi/