Why Togo congress presents crucial opportunity to unify diverse Pan-African initiatives

In 2013, the African Union (AU) launched Agenda 2063, marking a significant milestone in the history of Pan-Africanism. This laudable initiative aims to transform Africa into a sovereign, peaceful, and prosperous continent by 2063, centred on the core idea of fostering connections among African nations for integrated development. It seeks to initiate renewed growth and an African renaissance during the 21st century. Several African nations are working in collaboration with the African Union to champion projects aligned with these objectives.

Similar to Ghana's strong stance on reparations and Kenya's active participation in climate justice. Cote d'Ivoire has been entrusted with leading the second decade of Agenda 2063, while Togo has taken on a pivotal role in the African Single Air Transport Market. A remarkable development was recorded in Togo in February 2021 when the Togolese government successfully advocated for the AU to designate 2021-2031 as the "Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora." This initiative is designed to enhance initiatives that strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora, defined by the AU as individuals of African descent residing outside the continent who are committed to Africa's development.

Prominent among activities under this framework is the 9th Pan-African Congress, which Togo will host following the AU Declaration Assembly/AU/Dec.22(XXXVI) made during the Conference of Heads of State and Government from February 18 to 19, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This Congress aligns with a historic tradition of pan-African gatherings initiated by influential figures like Henry Sylvester Williams, W.E.B. Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah aimed at uniting African populations and addressing common challenges.

The primary goal of the pan-African movement is to ensure historical continuity and rally Africa around contemporary challenges. It has evolved to address significant issues, including the decolonisation of Africa, inequities in justice, human rights, economic integration, and contemporary demands for the reform of international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. African leaders have continuously advocated for these reforms to align global governance with the continent's needs.

Voices from Africa and the Caribbean, particularly those of intellectuals and leaders within the African diaspora, are united in demanding reform of the United Nations and multilateral institutions governing international cooperation. This transformation aims to create a new world order that respects national sovereignty. Recognising the urgent need for reform, Togo, in collaboration with the African Union (AU), has initiated the 9th Pan-African Congress, themed "Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s Role in Reforming Multilateral Institutions: Mobilising Resources and Reinventing Our Agency."

To ensure inclusivity and engagement, the AU's High Committee has organised six pre-congress events across various regions: South Africa hosted the Southern Africa pre-congress on December 4-5, 2023, focusing on "Pan-Africanism, Science, Knowledge, and Technology"; Mali held the West Africa pre-congress on March 14-15, 2024, on "Diaspora, Afro-descendants, and Development"; Morocco’s pre-congress on April 18, 2024, discussed "Pan-Africanism and Migration"; the Republic of Congo facilitated the Central Africa pre-congress on May 24, 2024, focusing on “Economic Pan-Africanism and African Emergence"; Tanzania’s East Africa pre-congress was held on July 6, 2024, dedicated to "Africanity, Cultures, Education, and Pan-African Identity"; and the Diaspora pre-congress in Salvador Bahia, Brazil, from August 29-31, 2024, addressed "Pan-Africanism, Memory, Restitution, Reparation, and Reconstruction."

These gatherings brought together political figures, business leaders, scholars, activists, and youth to affirm and celebrate Pan-African principles. They discussed critical issues such as migration, sustainable development, intra-African trade, reparations, cultural restitution, and the diaspora's role in emancipation, emphasising the urgent need for cultivating and advancing an endogenous philosophy centred in Africa: the Ubuntu Philosophy.

The Salvador pre-congress convened distinguished participants from over 50 nations, providing a platform to confront historical injustices faced by African peoples and advocate for reparations. A key proposal from the assembly was to designate Salvador, Bahia, as the seat of Africa's sixth region, representing the diaspora.

Brazil, as a founding member of the BRICS bloc, advocates for a decentralised, polycentric world and significant global governance reforms. The country began its G20 presidency on December 1, 2023, succeeding India, and hosted the G20 summit on November 18-19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, where it transferred the presidency to South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, marking a significant milestone for Africa.

Home to the largest population of African descent outside of Africa, Brazil—particularly Bahia, with over 70 per cent of its population identifying as Afro-Brazilian—has the potential to enhance Pan-African initiatives, especially with the establishment of a sixth regional seat in Salvador.

The upcoming 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé aims to engage various African regions through a robust procedural framework and has successfully mobilised the African community since its historic launch on May 22, 2023. Regional pre-congresses have emerged as key moments for advancing the Pan-African ethos.

The 9th Pan-African Congress, thus, presents a crucial opportunity to unify diverse Pan-African initiatives and address significant issues, such as reforming international institutions, reparations, restitution of cultural artefacts, and the collective memory of Africa. Pan-Africanism, reflecting past struggles, also provides a contemporary framework for ongoing challenges and consciousness for future battles for both Africa and its diaspora.

Professor Robert DUSSEY  is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration of Togo