Introduction
The phrase “Speak truth to power” has become a popular slogan among social and political activists, and even among those who identify as revolutionaries. However, this article argues that it is not the powerful who need to hear the truth—it is the masses. The elite already understand the truth and strategically use it to maintain their dominance. Therefore, directing truth toward them is ineffective.
The real solution to Africa’s ongoing crises lies in ensuring that the masses not only know the truth but also embrace it. Activists, militants, and revolutionaries must prioritize enlightening and mobilizing the people rather than focusing their efforts on the ruling elite. This approach forms the core strategy of the African Continental Unity Party (ACUP), which will be further elaborated in the final section of this article.
Truth to the Masses
The failure of many nationalist militant organizations, including those with a Pan-African vision, largely stems from the misdirection of their struggle. As suggested by the phrase “Speak truth to power,” these organizations have primarily focused their efforts on addressing those in positions of authority—the ruling elite and the wealthy. The assumption is that by presenting the truth to these individuals, they might be persuaded to acknowledge the needs of the people and adopt policies that alleviate their suffering.
While this assumption is well-intentioned, it overlooks the realities of power dynamics and the underlying factors that sustain global inequalities. One critical factor is that many individuals in power are already aware of the truth. In fact, their ability to acquire and maintain power often depends on their strategic use of this truth. As a result, speaking truth to them does little to change the plight of the masses. Instead, the truth must be directed toward the people—those who suffer due to ignorance and vulnerability to manipulation and social engineering. The focus of the African struggle, therefore, must be the African masses, not the African leadership.
Marcus Garvey recognized this reality when he observed that every nation consists of both loyal citizens and traitors. However, while sellouts in other nations are often found among the economically deprived, Africa’s greatest betrayals come from its leaders and educated class. This makes the strategy of appealing to leadership largely ineffective. Many activists who attempt this approach eventually become absorbed by the very power structures they sought to challenge, often prioritizing personal advancement over the well-being of the people.
Therefore, the real struggle for African liberation and emancipation must focus on the disenfranchised and marginalized. They are the ones who need to understand the truth, for only through their awareness and empowerment can genuine change be realized.
Demystifying the Struggle: Bridging the Gap Between the Masses and the Movement
Another critical flaw in the approach of “speaking truth to power” is that it unintentionally intellectualizes the struggle. The African struggle is fundamentally a struggle of the masses, aimed at addressing the crises that disproportionately affect the majority of African people. As such, the language of the struggle must be accessible and directly relevant to the realities faced by the people. However, when the focus is placed solely on the elites, the struggle is often framed in a way that appeals to their intellect and sensibilities—ultimately making them comfortable rather than challenged.
For instance, the masses seek revolution—a complete transformation of the system. The elites, on the other hand, may acknowledge that conditions are poor for the majority, but they still prioritize order and stability over radical change. A so-called revolutionary who simultaneously seeks acceptance within elite circles—chasing global recognition and awards—will inevitably find themselves in ideological contradiction. This is why many contemporary politicians in Africa lack ideological consistency, shifting between political parties and movements as effortlessly as one changes clothes for different occasions.
Furthermore, intellectualizing the struggle distances it from the people. When the discourse is framed in a manner that is abstract and overly academic, the masses struggle to recognize or identify with it. The result is widespread disengagement, leaving Africa without the active participation of its own people in shaping their future.
For true change to occur, opinion leaders and revolutionaries must actively work to close the gap between the struggle and the people. The movement must be people-centered, speaking a language that resonates with the daily struggles of ordinary Africans. The key to Africa’s liberation lies not in elite circles, but in the mobilization of its masses.
The Truth Will Set You Free: Empowering the Masses for Real Change
At its core, this article seeks to awaken the masses of the African continent through truth. While the discussion thus far has focused on the role of community leaders and revolutionaries—their orientation, objectives, and responsibilities—the role of the African masses themselves in the struggle cannot be overlooked. Real change lies in their hands, even though leadership remains significant. However, for the masses to bring about transformation, they must first change their perception of reality.
A dominant belief among the masses is that their suffering is solely caused by those in positions of political and economic power. Many assume that the key to a just society is to strip the powerful of their influence and the wealthy of their riches, believing that this will create a more equal and fair world. While such an approach might reduce inequality, it does not guarantee prosperity or sustainability for all.
Instead, the true path to progress is not for the rich to be stripped of their wealth, but for the poor to actively work to free themselves from poverty by gaining wealth and economic agency. Likewise, the solution to political oppression is not for the powerful to relinquish control voluntarily, but for the masses to seize power themselves and use it in a way that benefits their communities.
Ultimately, the only society in which the masses can truly thrive is one they have actively participated in shaping. The key to achieving this lies in mass mobilization and the creation of strong grassroots organizations that can effectively tackle their most pressing challenges. Liberation will not be given—it must be taken through action, unity, and strategic organization.
Mass Organization: The Key to Power and Liberation
It is crucial to understand that whenever the powerful come together, their primary focus is not on addressing the struggles of the masses but on preserving their power and advancing their interests. Institutions like the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and similar elite platforms serve as spaces where those in power negotiate their positions rather than solve the crises affecting the majority. The persistence of social inequalities and widespread suffering despite the existence of such organizations proves that they were never designed to uplift the marginalized.
The solution lies in mass organization. The marginalized and disenfranchised must unite, strategize, and organize not to appeal to the powerful, but to seize control over their own lives, communities, and societies. History shows that real change does not come from the goodwill of elites but from the collective action of the people.
The irony of neo-colonialism is that while it is highly structured and well-coordinated, it promotes disorganization and individualism among the masses. Major banks, multinational corporations, and global institutions work in synergy to maintain and expand their influence, ensuring that power remains concentrated among a few. This is because disorganized people are easily governed, while organized people govern themselves. Therefore, for the African masses to reclaim their power, they must build strong organizations at the community, national, continental, and global levels.
When these grassroots movements transcend colonial borders and form a united front across the continent and beyond, they create the foundation of Pan-Africanism—a philosophy that has long been recognized as the key to Africa’s liberation and true independence.
This is the vision behind the African Continental Unity Party (ACUP), a movement initiated by and for ordinary Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora. The ACUP is dedicated to mobilizing and organizing the masses to reclaim political and economic power, ensuring that Africa’s future is shaped by its people rather than external forces.
To learn more about ACUP and its mission, visit https://africanacup.org/.
Conclusion: Organizing for Africa’s Future
The future of Africa does not lie in the hands of elites, political leaders, or international institutions—it rests with the masses. For too long, Africans have been conditioned to believe that change will come from speaking truth to those in power or waiting for reforms from those who benefit from the current system. This has proven to be a misguided and ineffective strategy.
True transformation will only occur when the masses embrace the truth, organize themselves, and actively reclaim power. This requires a shift in focus—from appealing to the elite to mobilizing communities, fostering grassroots activism, and building strong institutions that serve the people. Africa’s history has shown that disorganized masses remain oppressed, while organized people shape their own destinies.
The African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) embodies this vision, offering a platform for Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to come together, strategize, and work toward political, economic, and social empowerment. The time for passive resistance is over. The time for mass organization and collective action is now.
The future belongs to those who seize it. Let the truth not only be spoken but acted upon. Let the people rise, unite, and build a new Africa—one where power is no longer concentrated in the hands of a few, but belongs to the many.