Lessons from Liberation Movements for Gen Z

Throughout history, many liberation movements have popped up across Africa, each leaving its mark with both victories and lessons learned. A common theme is that the true freedom fighters often find themselves on the sidelines when new leaders take over after the oppressive regimes are ousted.

For example, in Kenya, the brave Mau Mau fighters, who fought hard for independence, were often ignored while those seen as collaborators with the British were rewarded instead. Many of these freedom fighters are still landless today, struggling to claim what they fought for in their own country.

This pattern isn’t just limited to Kenya. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaders like PLO Lumumba faced dire consequences as colonial sympathizers swooped in to fill the power vacuum left by the departing colonialists.

The Arab Spring showcased a similar story. Young people rallied to overthrow long-standing rulers across the Arab world, from Tunisia to Libya to Egypt. Yet, instead of ushering in an era of change, many of these nations are now facing greater turmoil than before, with some leaders even adopting worse practices than their predecessors.

Take Egypt, for instance. Once a beacon of hope during the Arab Spring, it’s now more fragmented and unstable than ever. The same politicians who promised change after Hosni Mubarak’s ousting are making the situation dire for the common folk.

Protests like the ones in Tahrir Square captured global attention with a strong, unified call: the people want to bring down the oppressive regime. While they succeeded in removing some leaders, the hoped-for aftermath has turned into chaos, revealing that merely replacing leadership doesn’t guarantee true reform.

Today, the lessons from these liberation movements are essential for Gen Z, especially in Kenya, where young people are actively trying to instigate change. Their efforts, however, must be guided by the knowledge of past struggles to avoid the mistakes of their predecessors.

When young activists in Kenya recently achieved some significant steps, it served as a powerful reminder. Unfortunately, they lost momentum when self-serving politicians took control, reminding us that the battle for true change is often more complex than simply initiating a revolution.

Looking at the big picture, it’s clear that Gen Z must establish strategies to secure their victories. They should not only chase after their goals but also ensure that what they achieve is protected from those ready to swoop in and take it away.