PAN-AFRICANISM

Pan Africanism refers to the desire for African unity that tries to cultivate the spirit of brotherhood among the black people in the new world.

Pan Africanism originated in America and the Caribbean islands in the early 20th century.

The movement was formed by the black people initially to stop slave trade.

Pan Africanism was founded by Bladen and later on it was actuated William Sylvester who convened the first Pan Africanist conference.

These were few representatives from Africa but the majority came from America.

This is also known as Pan African Movement or Black Solidarity.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAN-AFRICANISM

The development of Pan Africanism took place through summoning or holding various conferences in various countries of Europe.

These conferences aimed at uniting people of African origin all over the world.

THESE CONFERENCES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:

1. THE PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS OF 1G00 IN LONDON

This was the first conference which took place in London.

The meeting was summoned by Henry Sylvester Williams from the West Indies.

It was at this conference that Doctor Du Bois was introduced and he came to dominate the movement for almost half of the century.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CONGRESS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:

a. To provide a forum for people of African origin

To provide a forum for people of African origin to protest against European exploitation and oppression.

b. To bring all people of African origin into closer relationship

To bring all people of African origin into closer relationship, this was so crucial in the struggle for their fundamental rights.

c. To appeal to the people to end the colonization and exploitation of the African people

To appeal to the people to end the colonization and exploitation of the African people.

This conference was able to lay the foundation for future solidarity of all people of African origin and it planted the spirit of oneness of Africa all over the world.

2. THE PARIS CONFERENCE OF 1G1G

This was the second Pan African movement which was held in Paris.

This conference was chaired by Du Bois.

This conference took place at a time when the Paris Peace Conference is taking place.

This was the conference which was signed after the First World War.

In this conference the following points were made:

a. International law

The members recommended that an international law should be formed to protect the Africans.

b. Right to education

The Africans should be guaranteed the right to education.

c. Abolition of slave trade and capital punishment

The conference also supported the abolition of slave trade and capital punishment.

3. THE LONDON CONFERENCE OF 1G21

This was the third conference that was held in three sessions, that is in London, Brussels and Paris.

The conference emphasized the need to form political parties and the need for international harmony.

In 1644, the students’ crew and politicians, led by George Pardmore, Wallace Jackson and Jomo Kenyatta formed a Pan African federation.

4. THE PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS OF 1G23

The fourth congress was held in London and Lisbon in 1623.

The members in this congress maintained that the Africans should have a right to self-government.

5. THE PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS OF 1G27

This congress took place in New York in 1627.

This was the last Pan African congress which was directly linked to Dr. Bois and George Pardmore.

There were conflicts which emerged between Marcus Garvey and Dr Bois.

Marcus Garvey, one of the founders of Back to Africa movement, wanted to deport all people of African origin back to Africa while Dr. Du Bois preferred to fight from exile.

6. THE MANCHESTER CONFERENCE OF 1G45

The Pan African federation convened a radical congress in 1645 in Manchester.

This was a Manchester conference of 1645.

This conference was inspired by President Woodrow Wilson of the United States who declared the principle of self-determination.

This was the conference that demanded complete independence for the Africans.

After the conference the intellectuals went back to Africa to mobilize the people for independence instead of remaining in Europe.

This was the conference that demanded complete independence for the Africans.

The conference was attended by a number of nationalist leaders from Africa such as Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Peter Abrahams and Wallace Jackson.

THE MEMBERS AT THIS CONFERENCE ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS

a.       The members demanded complete independence from colonial rule, they argued that “We demand black African autonomy independence, so far and no further than it is possible in this one world for groups of people to rule themselves”.

b.       They also demanded universal suffrage and condemned colonialism

NOTE: The African nationalists such as kwame Nkrumah, kamuzu Banda and Nnamdi Azikiwe studied in the United States of America thus they had been enlightened about them to take an active role in the pan African movement.

AIMS OF PAN AFRICANISM

1.       The movement also aimed at bringing unity and solidarity among the people of African origin. Unity was an important ingredient in the struggle to regain the fundamental rights of the black people.

2.       The movement aimed at fighting against colonialism in Africa and ensures that Africans are given their self-rule. The Africans were subjected to colonial rule for a long period where they were exposed to all sorts of exploitation and oppression.

3. Rise consciousness of the black people towards elimination of their inferiority complex which would restore respect and freedom to black people. The supporters of the movement claimed that the formation of a strong state will lead to the elevation of the African race.