Professor Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of Togo, has emphasized that the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé is a flagship project for the Decade of African Roots and Diaspora, aimed at fostering unity and inspiration across the continent and its diaspora.
In a statement shared with African press and journalists, the minister highlighted a significant milestone in 2013 when the African Union (AU) launched Agenda 2063, an ambitious plan to transform Africa into a sovereign, peaceful, and prosperous continent by 2063. Central to this vision is pan-Africanism, which seeks to strengthen connections among African nations and promote integrated development. This initiative envisions the 21st century as a time of renewed growth and African renaissance. As part of Agenda 2063, a select group of countries across Africa, in collaboration with the AU, has undertaken key projects that align with these objectives.
Togo, in particular, has taken a leading role, notably in the African Single Air Transport Market, while other countries like Ghana and Kenya are contributing to initiatives for reparations and climate justice, respectively. Additionally, in February 2021, the Togolese government successfully advocated for the AU to designate 2021-2031 as the “Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora.”
This decade has rapidly evolved into a robust framework for initiatives that connect Africa with its diaspora, defined by the AU as people of African descent living outside the continent who are eager to contribute to Africa’s development. One of the most significant undertakings within this framework is the 9th Pan-African Congress, which Togo will host, following a decision made during the AU’s Conference of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa in February 2023.
The Pan-African Congress continues the legacy of gatherings led by prominent figures like Henry Sylvester Williams, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Kwame Nkrumah, aiming to unite African peoples and address common challenges. Historically, the movement has tackled critical issues such as decolonization, justice inequities, apartheid, and economic integration. Today, the movement focuses on contemporary challenges like the reform of international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, which African leaders have long advocated for.
The theme of the upcoming 9th Pan-African Congress will focus on “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s Role in Reforming Multilateral Institutions: Mobilising Resources and Reinventing Our Agency.” To prepare for this major event, six pre-congresses have been organized across Africa and the diaspora, each focusing on key issues. South Africa hosted the Southern African pre-congress in December 2023, while upcoming pre-congresses will address topics such as development, migration, economic integration, and reparations. The final pre-congress will be held in Salvador, Brazil, in August 2024, where the diaspora will discuss reparations and the historical injustices suffered by African peoples.
During these pre-congresses, political leaders, scholars, activists, and members of civil society have gathered to reaffirm the principles of Pan-Africanism, discussing issues like migration, sustainable development, intra-African trade, and the repatriation of Africa’s cultural artifacts. The Brazilian pre-congress was especially significant, leading to the proposal to designate Salvador, Bahia, as the seat of Africa’s sixth region, representing the diaspora. This idea could enhance coordination between Africa and global communities of African descent.
The 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé promises to be a historic event, mobilizing diverse sectors of African society to address key issues such as international governance reforms, reparations, and the restitution of African cultural heritage. It will serve as a platform for uniting efforts around shared objectives, continuing the Pan-African movement’s legacy of addressing both past struggles and contemporary challenges for Africa and its diaspora.
- Professor Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration of Togo.
