Year of Africa
The year brought about the culmination of African independence movements and the subsequent emergence of Africa as a major force in the United Nations.
These rapid political developments led to speculation and hope about the future of Africa as a whole; yet at the same time, the continent was beginning to face the realities of post-colonial violence.
This year also saw the beginning of armed opposition to South African apartheid government, with political ramifications across Africa and around the world.
Bunche anticipated that many states would achieve independence in that year due to the "well nigh explosive rapidity with which the peoples of Africa in all sectors are emerging from colonialism.
[7] All member states acceded to the agreement except for Guinea, which obtained independence in 1958 when it refused to join La Communauté.
[8] In December 1959, returning French leader Charles De Gaulle agreed that member states could have independence if they chose.
[12] French companies thus accepted the arrangement, because they would remain well-positioned to profit from the newly independent countries—which also continued to use colonial (CFA) francs.
Recognizing that the Congo was going to become independent, Belgium freed Lumumba and allowed him to attend a conference in Brussels from 18 to 27 January.
[20] The Sharpeville massacre in South Africa took place on 21 March 1960, triggering mass underground resistance as well as international solidarity demonstrations.
[22] South African activists and academics describe it as a turning point in the resistance, marking the end of nonviolence and liberalism.
The flowing tide of African nationalism sweeps everything before it and constitutes a challenge to the colonial powers to make a just restitution for the years of injustice and crime committed against our continent.
We do not ask for death for our oppressors; we do not pronounce wishes of ill-fate for our slave-masters; we make an assertion of a just and positive demand; our voice booms across the oceans and mountains, over the hills and valleys, in the desert places and through the vast expanse of mankind's inhabitations, and it calls out for the freedom of Africa.
The United States and seven other colonial powers abstained; Zelma George, an African American in the U.S. delegation, stood to signify her support of the Declaration.
[29] The Second All-African Peoples' Conference, held from 25 to 31 January, called for Africa's complete independence and the establishment of an African bank.
[34][35] The Year of Africa was a major boost for African Americans, themselves engaged in the Civil Rights Movement within the United States.
"[37] Professor James H. Meriwether, looking back on the Year of Africa, writes: "The events of 1960 strengthened links between African Americans and the worldwide struggle against white supremacy, while doing so on a more Africa-centered basis.
