Lumumba's Africa. Decolonization Summary. Episode 58 | RT Documentary

With the end of the colonial era, African states gained independence, adopted their own flags and national anthems. Yet true freedom remained elusive. The colonial powers never fully withdrew from the continent. France imposed agreements on its former colonies that allowed it to control their resources, hold their funds in French banks, and even print their currency.

Great Britain established the Commonwealth, where nominally independent nations continued to follow its governance models. This marked the beginning of a new form of dependency — neocolonialism. It is evident not only in economic, linguistic, and cultural dominance, but also in the way many African leaders still govern their countries according to the laws of former colonisers. The independence of African nations amounted to only a partial break from Western influence — without a deeper shift in governance, culture, and the very way people think, genuine self-determination will remain out of reach.