Tue Jan 14 14:37:47 UTC 2025: ## African Scholars Debate Solidarity with Gaza Amidst Concerns Over Visibility of African Conflicts
**Cape Town, South Africa** – The inaugural meeting of the African Humanities Association (AHA) in December 2023 sparked a debate among African scholars regarding solidarity with Palestine and the often-overlooked conflicts within Africa itself. While a proposed motion of solidarity with Gaza following the Hamas attack faced opposition, highlighting a complex dilemma surrounding the prioritization of global and continental issues.
The objections weren’t rooted in pro-Israel sentiment, but rather stemmed from two main concerns. Firstly, some argued that a Gaza solidarity statement would be divisive for the nascent AHA. More significantly, critics questioned the focus on Gaza while numerous African nations grapple with their own devastating conflicts, including those in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and Ethiopia. This raised concerns about a perceived perpetuation of the historical dehumanization of African lives, suggesting a double standard in expressing solidarity.
In response, some Gaza solidarity events in South Africa adopted more inclusive slogans, such as “Free Congo, Free Sudan, Free Palestine.” However, the author argues that this conflation is problematic. While the conflicts share the common tragedy of civilian deaths, their underlying causes differ significantly. The Palestinian struggle is framed as anti-colonial, while conflicts in the DRC and Sudan are rooted in complex post-colonial issues of identity, governance, and legacy. Therefore, equating these struggles under a single banner of “freedom” obscures the nuances of each situation and hinders effective responses.
The author emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the historical context. Solidarity with Palestine, for many Africans, stems from a shared experience of colonialism and resonates with Nelson Mandela’s call for Pan-African liberation. However, simply expressing solidarity with various African conflicts risks superficiality and may not effectively address their intricate causes. The author advocates for a more nuanced approach: vigorous support for Palestinian anti-colonial struggle while simultaneously deepening understanding of, and promoting focused action on, specific African conflicts. This includes prioritizing detailed research and promoting informed political engagement tailored to each unique context. The author concludes that ignoring the unique nature of each conflict undermines effective action and risks perpetuating the very dehumanization it seeks to combat.
First Piper 