**African Socialism** refers to a political philosophy that existed
throughout the second half of the 20th century across
[Africa](Africa "wikilink"). Common features of African Socialism
include:

  - Economic development guided by the state
  - A strong, pan-African identity and the condemnation of colonialism
  - Centered around a strongman
  - Low levels of civil liberties

African Socialism was practiced by 21 states (out of 52 states) or 40%
of the continent. Although starting with good intentions, it largely
failed due to the combined influence of the
[US](Timeline_of_US_Imperialism "wikilink") and
[USSR](Timeline_of_USSR_Imperialism "wikilink") in their efforts to
manipulate Africa in the [Cold War](Cold_War "wikilink"). Most African
Socialist States failed economically and were wiped out by revolutions,
civil wars, coups and foreign manipulation. 62% of African Socialist
States collapsed during the [Revolutions of 1986 -
1995](Revolutions_of_1986_-_1995 "wikilink").

## Variants

### Ujamaa

### Ubuntu

### Harambee

## African Socialist States

### Algeria

From 1962 to 1988

### Angola

From 1975 to 1991

### Benin

From 1975 to 1990

### Burkina Faso

From 1983 to 1987, [Burkina Faso](Burkina_Faso "wikilink") practiced
African Socialism led by [Thomas Sankara](Thomas_Sankara "wikilink").
The government had highly successful land reform, rail and road
development, construction of hundreds of new medical clinics, mass
reforestation, vaccinating millions, ending neo-colonial influence over
the country, expanding women's rights massively and increasing
agricultural production by 250%. However, his failures came from his
repression of unions, failure to raise literacy and his murder in a
military coup backed [mainly by France](Françafrique "wikilink") and the
[USA](Timeline_of_US_Imperialism "wikilink").\[1\]

### Cape Verde

From 1975 to 1990

### Congo

From 1969 to 1991

### Egypt

From 1952 to 1970

### Ethiopia

From 1974 to 1987

### Ghana

From 1957 to 1966

### Guinea

From 1958 to 1984

### Libya

From 1969 to 2011

### Madagascar

From 1975 to 1992

### Mali

From 1960 to 1968, [Mali](Mali "wikilink") practiced African Socialism
led by [Modibo Keïta](Modibo_Keïta "wikilink").

### Mozambique

From 1975 to 1990

### Senegal

From 1960 to 1980

### Seychelles

From 1977 to 2004

### Somalia

From 1969 to 1991

### Sudan

From 1969 to 1985

### Tanzania

From 1964 to 1985

### Zambia

From 1964 to 1991

### Zimbabwe

From 1980 to 2017

## Libertarian Socialism in Africa

Libertarian Socialism also became increasingly popular in Egypt after
the Arab Spring.

## See Also

  - [Arab Socialism](Arab_Socialism "wikilink")

<!-- end list -->

1.  [Wikipedia](Wikipedia "wikilink") -
    <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara>