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Amílcar Cabral (1924-1973)

Amílcar Cabral (1924-1973) was a prominent African revolutionary leader, agronomist, and intellectual who played a crucial role in the struggle for independence in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Born on September 12, 1924, in Bafatá, Guinea-Bissau, Cabral was educated in Cape Verde and later in Lisbon, Portugal, where he studied agronomy.

Cabral’s education and experience as an agronomist deeply influenced his understanding of colonialism and his strategies for liberation. In 1956, he co-founded the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which became a leading force in the anti-colonial movement in Portuguese Africa.

Under Cabral’s leadership, the PAIGC launched a guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule in 1963. He emphasized the importance of rural development and education, aiming to mobilize the peasantry in the struggle for independence. Cabral was also a strong advocate for Pan-Africanism and sought to build alliances with other liberation movements across Africa.



Cabral’s intellectual contributions to revolutionary theory and practice were significant. He argued that national liberation required not only the overthrow of colonial rulers but also the transformation of social and economic structures within African societies. His writings on the role of culture and identity in the liberation struggle remain influential.

Tragically, Amílcar Cabral was assassinated on January 20, 1973, just months before Guinea-Bissau declared its independence from Portugal. His legacy endures as a symbol of the fight for freedom and justice in Africa, and he is remembered for his profound impact on the theory and practice of anti-colonial resistance.

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