Africa: Why Africans in the U.S. Support NDA’s Chernoh Bah (By Olusegun Ogundeji Israel)
- Ajamu Bandele, African Socialist Movement, Director Of International Affairs
In this interview with US-based Ajamu Bandele, the Director of International Affairs for the African Socialist Movement (ASM), he gave Concord Times’ Olusegun Ogundeji Israel an insight into what it really means to be a socialist and how people of African origin in the US still throw their weight behind the group’s leader, Chernor Alpha Bah, despite series of criticisms.
What is socialism all about?
Ajamu Bandele: Well it is a social economic philosophy that believes that the producer of wealth in society – the workers – should own and control the resources. It believes that the wage workers are exploited from the true value of their labour by the capitalist that privately own the means of production i.e. the factories, machines, trucks, and labour raw materials.
Let’s say I have a little understanding of these theories as taught in schools. Are there no other strings attached to the socialist movement other than this basic understanding?
Ajamu Bandele: There are but I need for you to be specific with what you want to know. The principles of Socialism are rooted in Communalism which is the most ancient social economic philosophy and system developed by African people and other indigenous people.
What about the religious belief?
Ajamu Bandele: Some socialists are Christian, Muslim, Jewish etc. There is a variety of ideological tendencies within the general Socialist movement. Some are atheist. Socialism is a social economic philosophy. The principles may clash with religious ones at times but there is no orthodox position around the question of religion because Socialism will overturn the status quo and empower the masses of people.
I’m a Christian. And I subscribe to the idea of socialism. If the principle should clash with my religious belief, what would be the way out?
Ajamu Bandele: There is no way out. Contradictions exist and compromises will be made. But I believe that a true Christian would see socialism as the system that best serves the masses of poor and sick people. The principles of peace, love, humanity, equality, and freedom. We believe that when you have an economic system and political system that legitimizes the ownership of the majority of wealth by a small group of greedy capitalist, there can be no freedom, peace, or justice. Many of the social evils that affect our beautiful African people are resolvable.
Apart from being honest, socialists attract criticism. Why?
Ajamu Bandele: The powers that be. Those that own the global economy have been waging a propaganda ideological war against socialist and socialism for two hundred years. It is the philosophy that opposes exploitation. But it is going to take a revolution in order for socialism to be constructed. We are not only fighting for a united and liberated Africa. But we must also say what type of socioeconomic system we will build in place of the capitalist-colonial one.
What is the difference between Pan Africanism and Socialism?
Ajamu Bandele: Pan Africanism and Socialism go hand to hand. Indeed, Africa is the most critical geopolitical region in the world. The question is: what class will rule and own the means of production? How will societal wealth be owned and distributed in the society? We socialist say that the masses of workers and peasants must be the new ruling class.
Let’s say I agreed with you. But don’t you think it will take some time to change the orientation of our people? Or did I say that because I’m a novice about socialism? Most of our people don’t know much about socialism and its principles.
Ajamu Bandele: You are absolutely correct but as the revolutionaries, it is our duty to develop tactics and strategies to raise the consciousness of the masses. They do but just not from an intellectual standpoint. We understand that under any circumstance, human beings must perform some types of labour to produce the basic necessities of life- food, clothing, shelter etc.
Correct me if I’m wrong to say that a lot has to be done to redirect the thinking of our people.
Ajamu Bandele: Yes, this is true. However it is possible. It is a process. People think based on what their circumstances are. We have historic examples of how rapidly socialist consciousness can spread and materialize in a revolution. Well the Cuban, Chinese, and Soviet Revolutions are historical examples.
In Africa, there is Guinea Conakry under Toure; Burkina Faso under Sankara etc. It is the acquisition of state power by a revolutionary socialist party that transforms society in a way to show people that socialism is the better system.
I don’t think Cuba is a good example.
Ajamu Bandele: It is one of the best in fact. It was a virtual neocolony of the US. They made a revolution without going through the process of raising the consciousness of the people and winning them to socialism. The people united with the overthrow of Batista and the imperialist rule of their island even after being under an embargo and forced to militarize the government and people. But they survived. While there is no extreme wealth, there is no extreme poverty. My comrade is a medical student there.
As the Director of International Affairs for the ASM, what are your duties?
Ajamu Bandele: It is my role to initiate and cultivate international relations and build a mass base of support for the ASM.
In a chronological order, can you tell me what you know about Chernor Alpha Bah, the ASM and its interest in Sierra Leone?
Ajamu Bandele: The African Socialist Movement was founded and is based in Sierra Leone. In 2002 Chernoh Alpha M. Bah co-founded the Africanist Movement as a mass based organization fighting for the liberation, unification, and development of African people in Sierra Leone and throughout Africa. By 2005 the Africanist Movement was an international mass organization with bases in eight West African countries. 70,000 members in the first three years of its existence is an almost impossible feat.
Aside these highlights, how did you think Africans in the US got to know of Bah and his organisation?
Ajamu Bandele: I cannot speak for every African in the US but I became aware of Chernoh at a tour event in Philadelphia back in 2007 that was organized by the Uhuru Movement. The Africanist Movement joined the efforts to build an African Socialist International as an organization to coordinate the activities of African Socialist worldwide. As part of the process, the Uhuru Movement sponsored a tour. I was so blown away by his ability to articulate the conditions on the ground in Sierra Leone and the organizing that the Africanist Movement were doing under the circumstances with minimum resources. He educated us about the history and forces involved in the extraction and exportation of the natural resources of Sierra Leone and how the primitive petty bourgeoisie function in a managerial capacity as puppets of foreign capitalist and governments.
If you cannot speak for every African in the US about how they became aware of Chernoh, how can you talk on why Africans in the US support the ASM and Chernoh Alpha M. Bah?
Ajamu Bandele: Well, because I do not know how every African became aware of Chernoh and the Africanist Movement. I became aware through his speaking tours. Asking me how every African in the US became aware of Chernoh is not a question that I can honestly answer; however I can say why we support the ASM and Chernoh Alpha M. Bah.
OK. Why do Africans in the US support Chernoh?
Ajamu Bandele: We support Chernoh because he is a fearless advocate of African liberation, unification, and socialism! We support him because of his history of criticizing imperialism and neocolonialism while also organizing internationally. We support Chernoh because of his integrity as a leader. The first impression that I got of this brother is that he is a genuine character. We have followed him closely here. His analysis is sharp. And we see in Chernoh and the ASM an opportunity to cultivate a principled unity. We support the ASM and Chernoh because they have the correct understanding of what needs to be done in order to liberate our people as demonstrated by the last decade of struggle and sacrifice made in pursuit of this objective.
Recently, there were reports at home accusing Chernoh of being a dishonest man. Are you aware of these accusations? If yes, what is your take on it?
Ajamu Bandele: Yes, I am aware of this and it is the direct result of a vicious slander campaign initiated by the African Peoples Socialist Party based in Florida, USA. For a period of four years, the Africanist Movement and the Uhuru Movement were working under an alliance to build the African Socialist international. Chernoh served as the interim director of the ASI until late 2009. The accusations came from an organization that attempted to take over the Africanist Movement but was resisted and ties were severed. There was a great uproar from those of us here in the US that support Chernoh and know that his character is exemplary. Visit www.africansocialistmovement.wordpress.com. This is the other side of the story that the All Peoples Congress APC-sponsored media outlets did not bother to mention. I am a former member of the African People’s Socialist Party APSP and Uhuru Movement. Many of us that know Chernoh personally and the true nature of the APSP rose up in defence of our comrade and the ASM. The ruling APC is intimidated by Chernoh’s growing influence and attempted to republish this slanderous article as a means of character assassination to sow seeds of distrust.
So where do you see Chernoh in the next five to ten years?
Ajamu Bandele: I see Chernoh becoming the leader of an international movement of African Socialist. In Sierra Leone, I see Chernoh emerging as the people’s champion. We are confident that he will be elected MP in November. In four years, Chernoh will be a serious candidate for president. We are in the precise historical moment for the emergence of a widespread movement against neocolonialism. Societal conditions are favourable. As the international economic crisis has sparked a new scramble for Africa, the same social class forces that have betrayed Africa and African people for centuries must be removed from the seats of political power. I believe that in the next five to ten years, we will see Chernoh emerge as a serious leader on the international scene.
What link(s) do you have with Africa?
Ajamu Bandele: I am Gullah. We lost our ethnic identities through the slave trade. I view all of Africa as my homeland and every people as my people. The struggles are one. Colonialism created Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Congo etc, 55 microstates.
Have you ever been to Sierra Leone? Or any part of Africa?
Ajamu Bandele: Not yet.
Don’t you think people may consider it unusual that you are championing the cause of people in a geographic location where you have never been?
Ajamu Bandele: No not at all. There are people of Chinese ancestry in the US that have never been to China but they champion the cause sometimes more aggressively than those at home. There are many African patriots. Marcus Garvey never stepped foot in Africa. Is it unusual that he was a champion of African people everywhere? Contrary to popular belief, most Africans in the US cannot afford to visit Africa. I grew up in the ghetto. Poor.
Your final message to Sierra Leoneans
Ajamu Bandele: I would like to say to the people of Sierra Leone that Chernoh has effectively brought international attention to the struggle there and that many people are watching the elections very closely. And there are Africans abroad and freedom loving people that love them and view the ASM as an organization to challenge and change the status quo characterized by corruption and greed.
(http://allafrica.com/stories/201208150480.html)
What is socialism all about?
Ajamu Bandele: Well it is a social economic philosophy that believes that the producer of wealth in society – the workers – should own and control the resources. It believes that the wage workers are exploited from the true value of their labour by the capitalist that privately own the means of production i.e. the factories, machines, trucks, and labour raw materials.
Let’s say I have a little understanding of these theories as taught in schools. Are there no other strings attached to the socialist movement other than this basic understanding?
Ajamu Bandele: There are but I need for you to be specific with what you want to know. The principles of Socialism are rooted in Communalism which is the most ancient social economic philosophy and system developed by African people and other indigenous people.
What about the religious belief?
Ajamu Bandele: Some socialists are Christian, Muslim, Jewish etc. There is a variety of ideological tendencies within the general Socialist movement. Some are atheist. Socialism is a social economic philosophy. The principles may clash with religious ones at times but there is no orthodox position around the question of religion because Socialism will overturn the status quo and empower the masses of people.
I’m a Christian. And I subscribe to the idea of socialism. If the principle should clash with my religious belief, what would be the way out?
Ajamu Bandele: There is no way out. Contradictions exist and compromises will be made. But I believe that a true Christian would see socialism as the system that best serves the masses of poor and sick people. The principles of peace, love, humanity, equality, and freedom. We believe that when you have an economic system and political system that legitimizes the ownership of the majority of wealth by a small group of greedy capitalist, there can be no freedom, peace, or justice. Many of the social evils that affect our beautiful African people are resolvable.
Apart from being honest, socialists attract criticism. Why?
Ajamu Bandele: The powers that be. Those that own the global economy have been waging a propaganda ideological war against socialist and socialism for two hundred years. It is the philosophy that opposes exploitation. But it is going to take a revolution in order for socialism to be constructed. We are not only fighting for a united and liberated Africa. But we must also say what type of socioeconomic system we will build in place of the capitalist-colonial one.
What is the difference between Pan Africanism and Socialism?
Ajamu Bandele: Pan Africanism and Socialism go hand to hand. Indeed, Africa is the most critical geopolitical region in the world. The question is: what class will rule and own the means of production? How will societal wealth be owned and distributed in the society? We socialist say that the masses of workers and peasants must be the new ruling class.
Let’s say I agreed with you. But don’t you think it will take some time to change the orientation of our people? Or did I say that because I’m a novice about socialism? Most of our people don’t know much about socialism and its principles.
Ajamu Bandele: You are absolutely correct but as the revolutionaries, it is our duty to develop tactics and strategies to raise the consciousness of the masses. They do but just not from an intellectual standpoint. We understand that under any circumstance, human beings must perform some types of labour to produce the basic necessities of life- food, clothing, shelter etc.
Correct me if I’m wrong to say that a lot has to be done to redirect the thinking of our people.
Ajamu Bandele: Yes, this is true. However it is possible. It is a process. People think based on what their circumstances are. We have historic examples of how rapidly socialist consciousness can spread and materialize in a revolution. Well the Cuban, Chinese, and Soviet Revolutions are historical examples.
In Africa, there is Guinea Conakry under Toure; Burkina Faso under Sankara etc. It is the acquisition of state power by a revolutionary socialist party that transforms society in a way to show people that socialism is the better system.
I don’t think Cuba is a good example.
Ajamu Bandele: It is one of the best in fact. It was a virtual neocolony of the US. They made a revolution without going through the process of raising the consciousness of the people and winning them to socialism. The people united with the overthrow of Batista and the imperialist rule of their island even after being under an embargo and forced to militarize the government and people. But they survived. While there is no extreme wealth, there is no extreme poverty. My comrade is a medical student there.
As the Director of International Affairs for the ASM, what are your duties?
Ajamu Bandele: It is my role to initiate and cultivate international relations and build a mass base of support for the ASM.
In a chronological order, can you tell me what you know about Chernor Alpha Bah, the ASM and its interest in Sierra Leone?
Ajamu Bandele: The African Socialist Movement was founded and is based in Sierra Leone. In 2002 Chernoh Alpha M. Bah co-founded the Africanist Movement as a mass based organization fighting for the liberation, unification, and development of African people in Sierra Leone and throughout Africa. By 2005 the Africanist Movement was an international mass organization with bases in eight West African countries. 70,000 members in the first three years of its existence is an almost impossible feat.
Aside these highlights, how did you think Africans in the US got to know of Bah and his organisation?
Ajamu Bandele: I cannot speak for every African in the US but I became aware of Chernoh at a tour event in Philadelphia back in 2007 that was organized by the Uhuru Movement. The Africanist Movement joined the efforts to build an African Socialist International as an organization to coordinate the activities of African Socialist worldwide. As part of the process, the Uhuru Movement sponsored a tour. I was so blown away by his ability to articulate the conditions on the ground in Sierra Leone and the organizing that the Africanist Movement were doing under the circumstances with minimum resources. He educated us about the history and forces involved in the extraction and exportation of the natural resources of Sierra Leone and how the primitive petty bourgeoisie function in a managerial capacity as puppets of foreign capitalist and governments.
If you cannot speak for every African in the US about how they became aware of Chernoh, how can you talk on why Africans in the US support the ASM and Chernoh Alpha M. Bah?
Ajamu Bandele: Well, because I do not know how every African became aware of Chernoh and the Africanist Movement. I became aware through his speaking tours. Asking me how every African in the US became aware of Chernoh is not a question that I can honestly answer; however I can say why we support the ASM and Chernoh Alpha M. Bah.
OK. Why do Africans in the US support Chernoh?
Ajamu Bandele: We support Chernoh because he is a fearless advocate of African liberation, unification, and socialism! We support him because of his history of criticizing imperialism and neocolonialism while also organizing internationally. We support Chernoh because of his integrity as a leader. The first impression that I got of this brother is that he is a genuine character. We have followed him closely here. His analysis is sharp. And we see in Chernoh and the ASM an opportunity to cultivate a principled unity. We support the ASM and Chernoh because they have the correct understanding of what needs to be done in order to liberate our people as demonstrated by the last decade of struggle and sacrifice made in pursuit of this objective.
Recently, there were reports at home accusing Chernoh of being a dishonest man. Are you aware of these accusations? If yes, what is your take on it?
Ajamu Bandele: Yes, I am aware of this and it is the direct result of a vicious slander campaign initiated by the African Peoples Socialist Party based in Florida, USA. For a period of four years, the Africanist Movement and the Uhuru Movement were working under an alliance to build the African Socialist international. Chernoh served as the interim director of the ASI until late 2009. The accusations came from an organization that attempted to take over the Africanist Movement but was resisted and ties were severed. There was a great uproar from those of us here in the US that support Chernoh and know that his character is exemplary. Visit www.africansocialistmovement.wordpress.com. This is the other side of the story that the All Peoples Congress APC-sponsored media outlets did not bother to mention. I am a former member of the African People’s Socialist Party APSP and Uhuru Movement. Many of us that know Chernoh personally and the true nature of the APSP rose up in defence of our comrade and the ASM. The ruling APC is intimidated by Chernoh’s growing influence and attempted to republish this slanderous article as a means of character assassination to sow seeds of distrust.
So where do you see Chernoh in the next five to ten years?
Ajamu Bandele: I see Chernoh becoming the leader of an international movement of African Socialist. In Sierra Leone, I see Chernoh emerging as the people’s champion. We are confident that he will be elected MP in November. In four years, Chernoh will be a serious candidate for president. We are in the precise historical moment for the emergence of a widespread movement against neocolonialism. Societal conditions are favourable. As the international economic crisis has sparked a new scramble for Africa, the same social class forces that have betrayed Africa and African people for centuries must be removed from the seats of political power. I believe that in the next five to ten years, we will see Chernoh emerge as a serious leader on the international scene.
What link(s) do you have with Africa?
Ajamu Bandele: I am Gullah. We lost our ethnic identities through the slave trade. I view all of Africa as my homeland and every people as my people. The struggles are one. Colonialism created Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Congo etc, 55 microstates.
Have you ever been to Sierra Leone? Or any part of Africa?
Ajamu Bandele: Not yet.
Don’t you think people may consider it unusual that you are championing the cause of people in a geographic location where you have never been?
Ajamu Bandele: No not at all. There are people of Chinese ancestry in the US that have never been to China but they champion the cause sometimes more aggressively than those at home. There are many African patriots. Marcus Garvey never stepped foot in Africa. Is it unusual that he was a champion of African people everywhere? Contrary to popular belief, most Africans in the US cannot afford to visit Africa. I grew up in the ghetto. Poor.
Your final message to Sierra Leoneans
Ajamu Bandele: I would like to say to the people of Sierra Leone that Chernoh has effectively brought international attention to the struggle there and that many people are watching the elections very closely. And there are Africans abroad and freedom loving people that love them and view the ASM as an organization to challenge and change the status quo characterized by corruption and greed.
(http://allafrica.com/stories/201208150480.html)
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