A press briefing on preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé was held on March 11, 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad.
The press briefing was led by Mrs. Afognon Kouakou SEDAMINOU, Diaspora desk coordinator and Essohanam PETCHEZI, director of African integration, both senior officials of the ministry.
In his speech, Mr. SEDAMINOU informed both the national and international press that the 9th Pan-African Congress will be held from October 29 to November 02, 2024 in Lomé on the theme “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilizing resources and reinventing itself to act”.
He recounted the background of the congress, its specificities, objectives and expected results, the preparatory stage up to March 11, 2024, and future activities.
This were followed by questions-and-answers session, which gave the journalists who were present the opportunity to ask questions.
Background of the 9th Pan-African Congress of Lomé 2024
Regarding the background, it appeared that the 9th Pan-African Congress is the result of a Togolese initiative endorsed by the African Union Commission.
Indeed, in accordance with the vision and orientations of the President of the Republic H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the minister of foreign affairs, regional integration and Togolese abroad, Prof. Robert DUSSEY, proposed to the 33rd session of the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2020 that a decade be dedicated to African roots and the African diaspora.
In view of the positive reactions to this plea, the Heads of State and Government Conference recommended that reflections on this subject of continental interest should continue, and that Togo should prepare the appropriate documents for submission to the next ordinary session for decision.
Togo then submitted a note on the Decade, which fitted in well with the African Union’s theme for 2021: “Arts, culture and heritage: levers for building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa in the context of multi-sectorial challenges”.
The Togolese proposal was endorsed by the African Heads of State and Government. Indeed, at the 34th Summit of Heads of State and Government on February 6 and 7, 2021, the African Union, by decision Assembly/AU/Dec.807(XXXIV), decreed the Decade 2021-2031 “Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora”. The Assembly also decided to set up a High Committee chaired by the Republic of Togo, responsible for implementing the Agenda of the Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora.
On the occasion of the 36th Summit of the African Union on February 18 and 19, 2023, Togo presented, under the Decade 2021-2031, a progress report on the activities and prospects for the establishment of the High Committee in charge of the Agenda of the “Decade 2021-2031 of African Roots and the African Diaspora” in accordance with Decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 807(XXXIV) of the AU Summit of February 7, 2021.
In Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.848 (XXXVI) adopted at the 36th Summit held on February 18 and 19, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Heads of State and Government approved the mandate and missions of the High Committee in charge of the Agenda of the Decade of African Roots and Diaspora. The High Committee, composed of fifteen (15) member states, considered the geographical configuration of the AU (all five (05) regions are represented) as well as the linguistic criterion (English-speaking, Arabic-speaking, French-speaking and Portuguese-speaking).
In the same decision, the Heads of State and Government also approved the project for Togo to organize, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé on the theme “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilizing resources and reinventing itself to act”.
The 9th Pan-African Congress is part of the activities of the “Decade 2021-2031”, which remains an institutional and Pan-African tool for valorizing and mobilizing the contributions and talents of Diasporas and Afrodescendants in the service of development and a reinvented Pan-Africanism. It is therefore a flagship activity in the implementation of the decade of African roots and the African diaspora.
Specificities of the 9th Pan-African Congress
The 9th Pan-African Congress has several specific aspects:
Firstly, it is part of both a historical filiation and a forward-looking vision. In fact, the first Pan-African Conference was held in London in 1900. After this historic event, the first Pan-African Congress was held in 1919, followed by seven (07) other editions attended by participants from the diaspora and Africa. The Pan-African Congress of Lomé is part of this historical continuity, while addressing current issues concerning the future and place of the continent in international institutions.
Furthermore, it is co-organized by Togo and the African Union. Indeed, it falls within the continental institutional framework based on Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.848 (XXXVI) adopted at the 36th AU Summit on February 18 and 19, 2023, approving the holding of the said Congress, and on the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
It is marked by preparatory stages consisting of six (6) regional conferences or pre-congresses scheduled in six (6) regions of Africa, including the Diaspora region, up to the climax in Lomé in 2024, as decided by the High Committee. These regions are North Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, and the Diaspora region.
It is also based on a “Pan-Africanism of the people”, involving more strongly the Diaspora and Afrodescendants, who play a vital role in the emancipation of the continent, supporting development programs in Africa through multiple initiatives.
Finally, the 9th Pan-African Congress is the very first to be organized by a French-speaking African country, following those held respectively in Dar-es-Salam in Tanzania, Kampala in Uganda and Johannesburg in South Africa.
Objectives of the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé
Firstly, to make it a privileged space for Africans, the African Diaspora and Afrodescendants, who will have the opportunity to question their human, political, cultural, social and societal future, in an increasingly unstable world, lacking in collective responsibility and concerted governance involving Africa.
Secondly, to enable African countries to define what they want and can do for themselves and by themselves, alongside other major players in the global economy and international political scene.
Finally, to enable them to examine the vision and means by which the continent’s development can derive maximum benefit from capitalizing on the skills, expertise and leadership of the diaspora and Afrodescendants, veritable reservoirs of potential to be transformed into powerful levers of development for the continent.
Expected outcomes of the 9th Pan-African Congress
The Congress will culminate in the “Declaration of the Pan-African Congress of Lomé”, focusing on:
- the question of the human, political, cultural, social and identity-related future of Africans in a world undergoing profound change, and of their status in relation to other peoples of the world;
- the need to develop a common vision, doctrine and principles of action for a reinvented and reinvigorated Pan-Africanism for Africa, in order to influence institutional reform by building on our strengths and potential;
- a community of past, roots and destiny with Africans and their ancestors living outside the continent, leading to a vision and innovative means of making the diaspora and Afrodescendants recognized strategic players in Africa’s development.
Mid-term review of the 9th Pan-African Congress
It was noted that several activities had already been undertaken in preparation for the congress:
- the establishment of the High Committee on the Decade Agenda, made up of fifteen member states, chaired by Togo, and tasked with coordinating preparations for the congress;
- the launching and official presentation of the 9th Pan-African Congress on May 22, 2023 in Lomé, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and in the presence of the Vice-President of the African Union Commission, several African ministers, representatives of the diplomatic corps, civil society and the diaspora;
- the creation of a dedicated website: pac9-lome2024.com, presenting the background, theme and objectives of the congress;
- the holding of a pre-congress on December 4 and 5, 2023 in South Africa on the theme “Pan-Africanism, science, knowledge and technology”, out of the six (06) planned by the High Committee. It was noted that the pre-congress of the Southern Africa region held in South Africa resulted in a declaration, available on the 9th Pan-African Congress website, which made several recommendations to be discussed in Lomé;
- the launching of a writing competition to select twenty (20) young people on the sub-theme “Youth of Africa, Diasporas, and the Renewal of Pan-Africanism: Tackling challenges together and build a common future”, enabling them to present their ideas and perspectives on Pan-Africanism, the new challenges to be met and the best paths to explore to better face the future.
Participants at the 9th Pan-African Congress
The 9th Pan-African Congress will bring together around 1.250 participants from African, Latin American and Caribbean states; the African Union; representatives of target groups (intellectuals, scientists, politicians, artistic, sporting, cultural and media players, youth, women, opinion leaders, influencers, etc.); associations of the diaspora and Afrodescendants and personalities and influencers from these communities; and all other key players who can make contributions to the Pan-African Congress in Lomé.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was noted that Togo and the African Union will make the 9th Pan-African Congress a historic and symbolic moment for the rebirth and unity of Africa, its diaspora and Afrodescendants.
The commitment of Togo’s highest authorities to organizing a successful Pan-African Congress was reaffirmed.
An invitation was extended to all stakeholders to actively support the preparation and holding of the 9thCongress, as the choice of Lomé to host the 9th Pan-African Congress is a further mark of confidence and recognition by the African and international community of Togo’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, the unity and development of the continent and the well-being of its people.
