Frantz Fanon at 100: A Voice That Still Challenges Empires
Frantz Fanon at 100: A Voice That Still Challenges Empires
In the year of Frantz Fanon’s centennial, a powerful question emerges: has the world truly moved beyond the systems of oppression he so profoundly exposed? As we reflect on the legacy of this revolutionary psychiatrist, philosopher, and anti-colonial thinker, recent geopolitical developments in Africa bring his words back to life.
The controversial peace agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in June 2025 — under U.S. supervision — echoes the themes that defined **Frantz Fanon’s** analysis of power, violence, and decolonization. This article explores how his thought remains relevant in understanding contemporary African struggles.
Frantz Fanon and the Psychology of Oppression
Frantz Fanon was more than a political writer; he was a diagnostician of colonialism’s psychological wounds. In works like *The Wretched of the Earth*, he described how colonization creates a violent hierarchy — where the colonized are systematically dehumanized while the colonizers maintain control through fear and force.
This insight is chillingly relevant today. The DRC-Rwanda agreement, which avoids naming Rwanda as an aggressor despite decades of documented invasions and resource exploitation, seems to repeat the same pattern: silence for the oppressed, legitimacy for the oppressor. Just as Fanon warned, power structures rarely change without confrontation.
Colonial Mentality in Modern Geopolitics
Modern agreements often mask neocolonial interests behind diplomatic language. The recent pact includes clauses about “joint mineral value chains” and “regional economic integration”, yet fails to address Rwanda’s role in the deaths of nearly 10 million Congolese since the 1990s. It raises the question: who really benefits from such “peace”?
Fanon would have seen this not as a flaw, but as a design feature of modern imperialism — one that uses legal frameworks to legitimize historical theft.
The DRC-Rwanda Accord: A New Chapter in Resource Exploitation
The agreement signed by DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, under the witness of President Donald Trump, is being framed as a milestone for regional stability. Yet beneath the surface lies a troubling reality.
Point 6 of the agreement opens the door for joint management of Lake Kivu resources, hydropower development, and mineral supply chains involving both countries — with special facilitation from the United States. For a country already exploited for its immense natural wealth, this framework feels less like peace, and more like institutionalized plunder.
Why Justice Was Left Out
One glaring omission in the treaty is any reference to justice or accountability. There is no mention of Rwanda’s role in supporting armed groups in Eastern DRC, nor any recognition of the millions of Congolese lives lost over three decades. As noted in a detailed report published on [AfroLegends](https://afrolegends.com ), true reconciliation cannot exist without justice.
For Fanon, peace without justice is merely another form of domination. He wrote, “O my body, make of me always a man who questions!” And indeed, this agreement raises many questions — none of which seem to favor the people of the DRC.
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To deepen your understanding of Fanon’s relevance, read our related article: Frantz Fanon Decolonization Theory Explained, which dives into how his philosophy applies to current events in Africa.
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Frantz Fanon’s Warning Against False Peace
Fanon’s work was not just about resistance; it was also a warning against false peace. In *Black Skin, White Masks*, he explored how colonized societies can internalize inferiority — and how post-colonial governments may even collaborate with their former occupiers under the guise of diplomacy.
The DRC-Rwanda agreement reflects this very dynamic. By framing Rwanda as an equal partner — rather than an aggressor — the deal legitimizes past crimes and paves the way for future exploitation.
Africa Needs Real Liberation, Not Paper Treaties
Fanon once said, “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.” Today’s leaders face that exact choice: continue signing treaties that serve foreign interests, or take bold steps toward real sovereignty and justice.
As long as agreements lack accountability and truth, they will fail to bring lasting peace. Africans must reclaim their narrative — and Fanon’s legacy offers a vital compass in that journey.
Conclusion
The legacy of **Frantz Fanon** is not confined to books or university lectures — it is alive in the streets, in the mines, and in every corner of Africa where injustice persists.
The DRC-Rwanda accord may be presented as a new dawn, but without naming the aggressor and holding them accountable, it risks becoming yet another chapter in the ongoing story of exploitation. If we truly want peace, we must start with truth — something Fanon taught us is inseparable from justice.
Source of the article: https://afrolegends.com
