The process of decolonization and independence of the European colonies extended over the Afro-Asian peoples occurred through a long process, which extends from the interwar period to the last third of the 20th century:first, in the Arab world; then among the countries of Asia, and finally in Africa. The nascent Third World, to which decolonization gave rise, is characterized by the problem of economic underdevelopment, inequalities and social tensions, the tendency towards non-alignment in international activity, the diversity of political systems, which range from revolutionary and nationalist socialisms to authoritarian militarisms and oligarchic dictatorships, the search for cultural identity and the attempts to maintain Western capitalist power over the newly independent countries (Decolonization as a historical problem – José U. Martínez Carreras).
To this accurate description of decolonization (carried out in Africa with a set square and bevel) I would dare to add that this process was responsible for many of the endemic problems in Africa. So, before judging by today's news and the stereotypes and prejudices that weigh on Africa, its history should be known before the Europeans desecrated it, because in the 13th century they already had a Constitution, the first Declaration of Human Rights, equality between the sexes, divorce, laws that protected the environment and animals … rights that in the European colonizing countries would still take several centuries to be recognized.
By the 12th century, the once-dominant Ghana Empire had collapsed due to repeated invasions by the Almoravids. Small neighboring states warred to fill the power vacuum, until Sumanguru Kanté , the king of the sosso , invaded the capital of the Ghana Empire and continued to conquer territories until the Manden , named for being the area occupied by the mandenkas/mandinkas/mandingas (send ka , the Manden people) and encompassed much of what is now Guinea and Mali. In 1235, the exiled prince Sundiata Keita of Manden he organized a coalition of small kingdoms to oppose the growing power of the Sosso. Armies clashed in the Koulikoro region (in present-day Mali) and Sundiata Keita's forces defeated Sumanguru Kanté. Following that victory, Sundiata Keita proclaimed himself mansa (emperor) of the Mandinka and founded the mighty Mali Empire, which would control most of West Africa for several centuries.
After the victory, it was necessary to organize the territory and endow it with a body of laws. So, in 1236 the emperor and his council of sages assembled in Kurukan Fuga (Mali), proclaimed the Letter of Manden , the Magna Carta of the Mali Empire and one of the oldest constitutions in the world. It consists of a preamble and 44 articles divided into seven chapters in which they proclaim:social peace in diversity, the inviolability of the human being, the education of people, the integrity of the homeland, food security, the abolition of slavery by razia and freedom of expression and trade. I leave you some pearls that show that in terms of rights and freedoms they took us centuries...
Everyone has the right to life. One life is not superior to another.
Respect for others is the rule, and tolerance must be the principle.
Vanity is a sign of weakness and humility of greatness, we will deal with difficulties together and we will help those who need us.
Never offend women, they are our mothers. Women, in addition to their daily occupations, must collaborate in all our efforts (equality between the sexes).
Respect the family, friendship and neighborhood.
Do not humiliate the enemy, because doing so is considered cowardice .
The education of children falls on society as a whole. Anyone should take care of and correct children.
Lies that last 40 years should be seen as truths:old complaints are not allowed (criminal prescription)
No one will put a gag in the mouth of his like to go and sell it. The essence of slavery is extinguished on this
day.
The spirit lives by saying what it wants to say (freedom of expression).
Divorce is legal, and is granted upon request of one of the spouses, for certain reasons:madness of one of the spouses, the inability of the husband to assume his obligations (procure support), not fulfilling the conjugal duties and disrespecting the in-laws.
Respect the word of honor.
There are five ways to obtain wealth:purchase, donation, exchange, through work and inheritance. All other forms are illicit. There is an exception:satisfying hunger is not theft, it is allowed to take only what is essential to alleviate hunger.
The forests must be preserved for the happiness of all. Before setting fire to a bush, raise your head and look at the treetops (environmental protection).
Domestic animals should be confined only temporarily or as needed for agriculture, and released after harvests.
Anyone who breaks these rules will be punished. Each one is in charge of ensuring compliance (equality before the law)…
Despite the disappearance of the Mali Empire, the words of the Charter and a series of related rites continued to be transmitted from generation to generation, in codified and oral form, thanks to the griots (the troubadours of West Africa). To keep this tradition alive, ceremonies commemorating the historic assembly are held every year in the village of Kangaba, adjacent to the vast Kurukan Fuga forest clearing that is now located on Malian territory, close to its border with Guinea. In 2009, the Mandén Charter, proclaimed in Kurukan Fuga, was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
We would blush if we compared the laws contained in the Manden Charter with those in force in Europe in the 13th century... and even with those of today.
Sources:The African Human Rights Protection System, The Manden Charter,