Zohran Mamdani's win in the Democratic primary for New York City Mayor holds significant importance for American city politics. It serves as a source of motivation—and a strong reminder—for people throughout the African continent who previously believed, and now need to rediscover, the strength of progressive policies.The son of Uganda and one of Africa's most distinguished contemporary public intellectuals and scholars, Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran has demonstrated that a grassroots, democratic socialist movement can succeed—even in the core of global capitalism. His campaign focused on the working poor, immigrants, renters, and young people. It listened, it mobilized, it created. And it prevailed.
This is the sort of governance that once inspired the African continent. And it is the type of governance Africa desperately needs to revive.
It's simple to overlook, in this era of elite control, military dominance, and political apathy, that Africa's journey to freedom was guided by progressive groups. The pan-Africanism of the 20th century—found in Accra, Johannesburg, the Caribbean, Algiers, or Atlanta—was based on unity, fairness, and shared respect. Its leaders were youthful, frequently lacking in wealth, yet strong in their ethical convictions.
They came together in Manchester in 1945, in Accra in 1958, and once more in Addis Ababa in 1963, aiming to outline a path beyond colonial rule and towards solidarity. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) emerged from their dream: To eliminate division and establish Africa's influence on the global stage.
That generation did not receive riches or authority. What they possessed was a sense of direction—and a faith in the capacity of common individuals to determine their own destinies. Pan-Africanism went beyond just symbols and boundaries. It focused on the liberation of the African soul, wherever it could be found—in Soweto, in Harlem, in Port-au-Prince.
Yet at some point, the liberators transformed into rulers. Many were tempted by the very instruments of control they had previously opposed: weapons, royal residences, and favoritism. The Cold War turned Africa into a battleground. Corruption seeped into the newly independent nations. Military takeovers became common. The vision of shared liberty was overshadowed by the truth of elite authority.
At the start of the new millennium, there was a spark of optimism. The African Renaissance, promoted by figures such as Thabo Mbeki, Melese Zenawi, and Salim Ahmed Salim aimed to bring back Africa's influence. The African Union took the place of the OAU. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) outlined a plan for responsible leadership, regional unity, and economic change. However, this revival did not last long.
In the past ten years, Africa has once more been affected by military-controlled governments, political deals, and exploitative leaders. Right-wing populism has become established, frequently wrapped in ethnic clothing or messages of prosperity theology. Evangelical groups—connected to worldwide conservative trends—have supported a belief system centered on individual wealth, private salvation, and rejection of community efforts.
African nations might possess more natural resources than ever before, yet their populations are increasingly impoverished, frustrated, and marginalized. In numerous countries, governance has disintegrated. Regional organizations have become less effective. Furthermore, Africa's influence on the global stage has diminished due to burdens like debt, foreign military installations, and exploitative economic agreements with Middle Eastern regimes and irresponsible corporations.
The people of Africa have not abandoned their fight—but they have been deceived by those who pledged democracy and instead brought corruption.
Amidst this context, Zohran Kwame Mamdani's campaign presents a beacon of political optimism.
Named by his father in honor of the symbolic figure from the era of independence – Kwame Nkrumah – Zohran's message was clear: the wealthiest city in the world should be accessible to those who reside and contribute to it. He contended that the purpose of government is not to benefit landlords or cater to developers—but to provide housing, healthcare, education, and security for everyone.
Rather than depending on major donors, Mamdani sought support from the community. He visited different areas. He heard the concerns of mothers, immigrants, street sellers, and students. He formed alliances based on trust and common challenges.
And the people responded.
New York, historically recognized for its business-oriented, donor-focused political environment, selected a candidate whose primary asset was his honesty. His platform wasn't dictated from the top—it emerged from the grassroots. This is the kind of politics that Africa needs to restore.
Progressive politics is not something brought from the West. It is a legacy of Africa. It fueled our fight for independence. It influenced our constitutions. It shaped the first generation of African nations after colonial rule.
Now, that heritage remains inactive—but not extinct.
To bring it back, African progressives need to go back to basics. They should mobilize. They should listen to their people—rather than simply speaking at them. They should seek political positions—not just to gain authority, but to reestablish direction. They should promote concepts that bring together different ethnic and social groups, ideas based on fairness, respect, and the welfare of the community.
First and foremost, they need to rediscover faith in the collective—since no African country can succeed when separated from others. Division is our greatest threat. To achieve global significance, regional power, and internal revival, unity is the only realistic way forward.
Zohran Mamdani's victory in the Democratic Party primary serves as a reminder that grassroots politics is not just an ideal, but a practical approach that yields results.
Mamdani's campaign was not driven by sentimentality—it centered on potential. It demonstrated that politics rooted in hope, respect, and fairness can still overcome politics based on fear, self-interest, and division.
In Africa, there are the young people. There are the concepts. There is the past. What we require is the bravery to come together once more.
May Zohran Mamdani's success serve as a reminder to Africa's young leaders, intellectuals, and advocates. Let it inspire a powerful call for a fresh pan-African progressive movement—one that takes back our future from those who are corrupt, influential, and apathetic.
We once gained our independence through self-belief. We need to secure our future by following the same approach.
Abdul Mohammed was a high-ranking representative of the African Union and the United Nations. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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