Truman Administration and the Decolonization of Sub-Saharan Africa, The

Journal of Third World Studies, Fall 1997 by Okoth, P Godfrey

However, like any other book, Munene's has its own problems. The problem with the book starts with its title. The Truman Administration is not defined in terms of scope or periodization; it is only implied in the table of contents and it does not become clear until the beginning of Chapter three on p. 48 that Truman's administration began on April, 12, 1945. Thus, the Truman Administration stretched from 1945 - 1952, a period of eight years which constitutes two terms in the life of the American presidency.

In the same vein, the term decolonization is simply assumed. Nowhere in the book is it dearly defined, and yet the definition of decolonization is no easy task. But the elucidation of the forces that have created this process is an even more daunting challenge. Whereas each case is individual with its own specific character, simultaneously, decolonization was a global phenomenon linked historically to the character of the international political and economic system. There is, therefore, a need for a juxtaposition of specific cases of decolonization with the global process largely in terms of the dynamics of imperialism (which the U.S. represents at the highest level) while analyzing decolonization in more localized situations.

Decolonization certainly refers to the inability or unwillingness of the previously powerful to continue to exercise their imperial rule. On the other hand, the imperialists could weaken themselves as occurred in the two world wars, which weakened Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is true that the rise of the U.S. and the Soviet Union as two self-proclaimed anti-imperialist superpowers after 1945 noticeably accelerated the process of European decolonization. But the one question that Munene does not answer adequately is: in whose interest? It was in their own interests; not in the interest of Africa. For the U.S., it played an anti-colonial role in order to open up Africa to greater U.S. influence and activity.1 It was a question of diplomacy. The title of the book, therefore, could as well read, "The Truman Administration arid the Diplomacy of the Decolonization of Africa."

In reference to Africa, whether advertently or inadvertently, Munene falls in the trap of the so-called concept of "Two Africas." Munene's usage of the term, "Sub-Saharan Africa" is symptomatic of the racist attitudes towards the former colonies. European travellers and geographers created the concept of "two Africas," which was adopted wholesome by racist scholars in Euro-America. It has, however, been established that Africa was not self-isolated by the Sahara. The Sahara came into existence when that part of the world dried up thereby forcing the inhabitants to migrate north and south. Additionally, the practice of Trans-Saharan trade established the pre-Saharan life and activities. The idea of "Sub-Saharan Africa," is, therefore, 'a myth or misleading. It cannot be accepted as it tantamount to the balkanization of Africa, thereby denying Africa its rightful role in contributing to world civilization. There is only one Africa; hence the need to decolonize such racist and derogatory terms.