Mbandlwa, Zamokuhle2023-06-122023-06-122023-05-31Mbandlwa, Z. 2023. The rise and fall of the liberation movements in Africa. Migration Letters. 20(3): 492-504. doi:10.47059/ml.v20i3.29331741-8992 (Online)https://hdl.handle.net/10321/4799Abstract Background: Liberation movements in Africa in the past 70 years began to campaign for the liberation of African countries. The liberation of Libya in 1951 gave hope to all liberation movements in the African countries. The liberation movements in all African countries were able to liberate African people from the colonial masters. Nevertheless, the history has shown that liberation movements has failed to sustain power. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show how people blame the liberation movements for government failures to deliver the needs of the people. Others blame economic decline in Africa while others blame corruption amongst African leaders. This study articulates the factors that contributes to the failures of liberation movements to sustain power and to deliver the needs of the people. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of this study derive from leadership theories. The aim of this article is to create an awareness of how liberation movements in Africa has failed to remain the only hope to provide better lives for African people. Research Design: This study applied secondary research methodology because the information and data was available and accessible to the researcher. Conferences reports, newspaper articles, online material were used to reach findings and conclusions of the study. Research Objectives and Implications: The objective of this article is to sensitize the African community on issues of interest that affect the leadership changes in Africa. The secondary objective is to look at the factors that lead to failures of the liberation movements in Africa. Lastly, is to show the trajectory of liberation movements decline and their irrelevance in changing the African economy. Originality and Value: This is an original study which has applied the secondary research methodology to cross-check the African information on the sustainability of the liberation movements. Findings: The researcher found that the liberation movements in Africa prioritize the needs of its members at the expense of the general population.13 pen1699 Other Studies in Human SocietyLiberation MovementsCorruptionLeadership deficienciesService delivery declineUnethical conductsArticle2023-06-0810.47059/ml.v20i3.2933