Pan-African Leaders Renew Call for Unity, Youth Empowerment at 80th Anniversary of 5th Pan-African Congress
Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra, Ghana l November 19, 2025
The 80th Anniversary Conference of the historic 5th Pan-African Congress climaxed on Wednesday, November 19, with impassioned calls for African unity, youth empowerment, and a renewed commitment to the continent’s liberation agenda. The conference, organised by the Pan-African Progressive Front (PAPF) and held at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, commemorated the landmark 1945 Manchester Congress that ignited Africa’s anti-colonial struggle.
Speaking during a press interview, Dr Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, stressed that the ideals of the 1945 Congress remain relevant as the continent continues to grapple with neo-colonial domination, poverty, and marginalisation.
“There is no revolution that ever comes to an end; it has to be reborn anew all the time,” Dr M’membe said. “The issues of decolonisation, racial discrimination, and economic and political marginalisation remain. We are still neo-colonies. We still do not have full control over our political, economic, and social affairs.”
He warned that Africa’s youthful population—whose median age is under 20—faces a bleak future unless decisive action is taken today. With Africa projected to dominate global population figures in the next 50 years, he challenged leaders to plan urgently for housing, food security, transportation, sanitation, health and education.
Dr M’membe also reflected on the historic divisions imposed during the 1884–85 Berlin Conference, which carved Africa into fragmented states. “These countries are nothing but bantustans,” he said. “Unity is not achieved through one meeting or one congress; it is a continuous struggle, especially when forces of division are actively working against us.”
He emphasized that Africa’s liberation has always been driven by its youth and insisted that they must reclaim their role: “The young people must take up their historic responsibility. All our people must participate—traditional leaders, religious leaders, trade unions, cooperatives, business leaders—everyone must unite for total emancipation.”
On her part, Dr Nadia Arol, South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Museum and National Heritage, expressed optimism about Africa’s ability to unite as one people despite internal challenges. She highlighted her own experience travelling from East Africa to Ghana as a symbol of the continent’s potential unity.
“We can come together as one continent if our leaders decide to do so,” she said. Reflecting on South Sudan’s difficult journey through decades of conflict, Dr Arol credited African solidarity and AU intervention for helping stabilise the young nation after years of internal turmoil.
“Thank God we have been advised by Africans,” she said. “South Sudan today is stable. Even if our cultures differ, our problems are shared across the region.”
Adding his voice, Abdelhamed Alsadek Gait, Director of International Relations at the Libyan Youth Hostel Association, urged African governments to put youth at the centre of continental integration and nation-building.
“What Africa really needs is to strengthen the identity that binds us together,” he said. “Youth are the richest resource of Africa, but also the most neglected. They must be recognized, empowered, and included in decision-making today—not tomorrow.”
He proposed the establishment of an African Union Youth Parliament as a major step toward amplifying young voices across the continent. Gait also encouraged African youth to embrace Pan-African consciousness: “Many young Africans do not even know what Pan-Africanism is. We must raise awareness and continue the footsteps of our great African leaders.”
As the conference concluded, participants echoed a unifying message: Africa’s liberation, development, and future prosperity depend on unity, bold leadership, and empowering its young population.
