The news cycle today offers a grim triptych, each panel a testament to the ongoing struggle for true decolonisation around the world. From a Kenyan court’s stubborn refusal to recognise religious freedom, to China’s economic woes, and Sierra Leone’s fraught dance with justice, we see the enduring shadow of imperial power, even long after the colonisers have supposedly packed their bags. It’s a stark reminder that decolonisation isn't just about hoisting a new flag; it’s about uprooting the systems, the mindsets, and yes, the puritanical morality that were imposed upon entire continents.

First, let’s talk about Kenya. The High Court's dismissal of the Rastafarians' plea to legalise cannabis, citing its illegality *in the constitution*, is a particularly galling example of this lingering colonial hangover. Cannabis, or "ganja," is integral to the Rastafarian faith. To deny its legal recognition is not merely a legal technicality; it is a blatant attack on religious freedom and cultural expression. This isn’t a homegrown Kenyan law; it’s a direct inheritance from the British Empire, which imposed its own Victorian-era morality across its vast dominion. The very idea that a substance with significant cultural and medicinal history in many parts of the world was criminalised wholesale, often with racist undertones, is a historical travesty. To uphold it now, centuries after the fact, is to actively choose to remain chained to a past that was not your own.

This isn’t just about Rastafarians and cannabis; it's about the broader issue of self-determination. When former colonies, even with elected governments, continue to enforce laws and adopt economic models that were designed by and for their former masters, they are not truly free. They are living under a different kind of colonial rule – one where the chains are invisible, woven into legal codes and economic structures. The progressives among us understand that true freedom means the power to redefine your own society, to jettison the oppressive legacies, and to forge a path that reflects your own culture and values.

Consider China’s economic slowdown, registering one of its lowest growth rates on record. While not directly a colonial imposition in the same way as drug laws, it’s a stark reminder of the global economic order that still largely benefits established powers. Developing nations, even those as formidable as China, are still grappling with the inherent inequalities of a system largely designed by and for the West. The narrative often shifts to "internal missteps," but rarely acknowledges the structural disadvantages and the historical exploitation that continue to shape global markets. The "rules-based international order" often seems to have a selective memory when it comes to the historical context of global economic power imbalances.

And then there's Sierra Leone, dropping treason charges against its former president. This, on the surface, might seem like a step towards reconciliation or justice, depending on your perspective. Yet, it underscores the persistent fragility of democratic institutions in many post-colonial states. The constant threat of coups, the shifting sands of political power, and the often externally-influenced narratives of "good governance" all point to societies still finding their footing after centuries of external manipulation and internal fracture deliberately engineered by colonial powers. Stability, true self-governance, and resilient institutions are not built overnight; they are painstakingly constructed in the shadow of a deeply disruptive past.

The common thread weaving through these disparate headlines is the unfinished business of decolonisation. True liberation isn't just about political independence; it’s about mental, cultural, and economic sovereignty. It’s about rejecting the imposed morality, the economic models that perpetuate inequality, and the political systems that remain inherently unstable due to external pressures and historical wounds. Until nations truly have the autonomy to define their own laws, their own economies, and their own cultures, free from the lingering specter of colonial influence, the fight for genuine freedom continues. And as progressives, it is our duty to support that fight, fiercely and unequivocally.

Signed,

Octavia Stern

Managing Editor, The Artificial Press