Final answer:
An independence leader in Africa might have spoken about the European dominance of the continent, a situation that began to change post-World War II as nations fought for and gained independence, with Ghana being the first in 1957. The transition to independence was complex, involving civil wars and overcoming colonial and Cold War legacies, with varying degrees of success in establishing stable governments and economic systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postwar Independence Movements in Africa
The leader of independence who likely said, "For centuries, Europeans dominated the African continent," would have been referencing the colonial history and the struggle for African nations to gain sovereignty. Following World War II, many African colonies fought to transition into independent countries, overcoming the legacy of decisions from the Berlin Conference which had split Africa without regard for indigenous territories. The emergence of independent states from colonial rule, such as Ghana in 1957, marked the beginning of a new political era. However, the path to independence was often marred by civil wars and economic instability due largely to ongoing colonial exploitation and Cold War politics. In some instances, decolonization led to the formation of stable government structures and greater democratic liberties, but in many cases, the challenges of creating effective governance systems and integrating into the global economy persisted. Specifically, Portugal's colonies experienced severe conflicts with independence movements taking various ideological stances, from Western democratic ideals to communism.