Meaning of PAN-Africanism:
The advocates of Pan-Africanism propounded the need for racial harmony, mutual existence coupled with absolute equality and respect for the dignity of Africans.
It further accepts the need for co-operation and unity among African states in the areas of economic, political and cultural spheres. It detests and rejects in totality all forms of colonial rule, control and domination of any African state.
Furthermore, this concept stands for the rights of Africans to self-determination and the need to be treated with dignity and respect. In addition, it tends to instill in Africans a sense of belief and self-confidence in themselves as a people or a race.
Originally, this movement began as a reaction of the Negro propel to years of humiliation and denomination of the black race by the white race.
The popular slogan of the proponents of this concept has been ‘Africa for the Africans’ and ‘Africa personality’.
This movement developed outside Africa. It was formed by Africans in Diaspora, e.g. in West Indies, U.S.A etc. They were constantly faced with discrimination and so they saw Africa as their real home. Some of the leading members were: Edward Blyden, a Liberia, Marcus Garvey, W.E. Dubois, an Afro-American and George Padmore, a West Indian. Different pan-African conferences took place in Paris, 1928, Libson in 1923, New York in 1927 and Manchester in 1945. Most of the issues deliberated on at these conferences were mainly on the unity of all Negro people and the 1945 Manchester conference deliberated mostly on strategy and realistic approach towards the decolonization of African continent.
POSSIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PAN-AFRICANISM
- Liberation of Africa: The movement worked and spoke against colonial rule.
- Articulation of demands: It helped African nationalists in articulating their demands and supported them in their struggle for independence.
- Creation of consciousness: It accelerated the tempo of national consciousness, especially after the Second World War.
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