Beyond Independence: The Failure of Decolonization and the Humanitarian Aid System in a Critical Perspective

Decolonization is a historical process often narrated through the lens of Western perspectives, which tend to glorify and distort the complex realities of this phenomenon. Notably, in Africa, decolonization cannot be reduced to mere political liberation; it must also be understood as a cultural and social reclamation process, profoundly undermined by colonial policies. Authors such as Frantz Fanon and Achille Mbembe have made indispensable contributions to understanding colonial and postcolonial dynamics, addressing issues like psychological alienation, violence as a means of emancipation, and the ambiguous nature of formal independence from the colonial powers. The research aims to critically question the outcomes of these biased narratives, both on human beings and on institutional and non-institutional structures. A deeper analysis will be done on the emergence of the so-called "failed states", a categorisation invented by the West which provoked more inconveniences than the solutions it intended to provide. Shedding light on contemporary forms of neocolonialism, this thesis seeks to transcend a state-centered framework by also considering the role of non-state actors in perpetuating some of the patterns that might be seen as a heritage of the colonial modus operandi, such as dependency. Lastly, this research challenges the extent to which decolonization has led to a genuine independence of the former colonies, questioning whether an actual dismantling of imperial structures happened or may be more accurate to talk about an alteration of the actors involved, while preserving the underlying power dynamics. By a comparison among perspectives of authors from the Global North and South, the purpose is to gain the tools for a comprehensive understanding of the limitations and contradictions of a process that, as shown by the contemporary Humanitarian Aid system, remains incomplete.