Africa, its diaspora and Afro-descendants make up a human constellation of immense scope and inestimable richness. Yet, despite undeniable historical ties and a common heritage, this vast family dispersed across continents still faces many challenges in strengthening its solidarity and cohesion. Real unity goes beyond a mere slogan; it is a strategic as well as human commitment, indispensable for building a collective future worthy of the hopes nurtured by this remarkable network of energies and talents.
Among these challenges, geographic and cultural fragmentation appears perhaps the most pressing. African realities, often very different from one country to another; the multiple trajectories of the diaspora, whether economic, intellectual or political; and the multiple identities of Afro-descendants in America and elsewhere make the building of a true bridge difficult. That bridge, however, is vital; but it is built patiently, stone after stone, discussion after discussion.
In this sense, diplomacy plays a key role. Togo, for example, has understood that the link with the diaspora cannot be reduced to an idyllic image or a mere postcard. With pragmatism and a sense of listening, Togolese diplomacy has made the reconquest of its diaspora a fundamental pillar of its foreign policy. Lomé thus became a privileged hub for exchanges where the skills of sons and daughters scattered around the world are mobilized to drive concrete projects, whether economic, cultural or social. This approach, humanistic and far from rigid postures, shows that solidarity can be embodied in tangible actions, blending modernity and respect for roots.
It is in this dynamic that the 9th Pan-African Congress in December 2025 at Lomé is situated. More than just a meeting, it will be a genuine laboratory of ideas and convergences bringing together Africans, members of the diaspora and Afro-descendants from around the world. The stakes are high: how to intensify cultural, economic and political exchanges? How to overcome historical barriers and prioritize mutual support? How to turn this diversity into leverage, a driver of innovation and development? How to capitalize on the skills and talents of the diaspora and Afro-descendants? These and other questions will find resonance in the debates, working groups, panels and encounters of this great rendez-vous.
Solidarity between these three poles cannot be a chimera; on the contrary, it is a human imperative carrying renewed hope. In this second International Decade of People of African Descent proclaimed by the United Nations for the period 2025-2034, from North to South, from East to West, mobilizing these forces allows African communities and Afro-descendants to recognize themselves, enrich each other and above all lean on one another in facing the challenges of the 21st century: inequalities, injustices, access to education and health, climate change, cultural representations… not forgetting that solidarity also expresses itself in reparative justice.
Thus, in the race toward a united future, Togo positions itself as an engaged actor, convinced that diplomacy is also built through humanity and empathy. During the 9th Pan-African Congress, it won’t just be experts who gather, but human beings driven by the same will: to make fraternity rhyme with progress, ambition with respect, geographical distance with proximity of thought.
It is this wonderful energy, sometimes unexpected and always precious, that could make all the difference. Because, deep down, solidarity isn’t imposed, it is lived; in exchange, sharing and the profound conviction that together, Africa, its diaspora and Afro-descendants write a story bigger than the sum of their individual stories.
