In line with the African Union Theme of the year , “ Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent,” the African Group of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Caucus in partnership with the Africa Center in New York City, convened the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the 5th Pan-African Manchester Congress on December 9, 2025, at the Mandela Hall of the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union (AUPOM) to the United Nations(UN), dubbed “The Africa House”.
During this event, Africa paid tribute to the 1945 Manchester Congress, acknowledging its historic role in giving voice to the continent and its diaspora, forging, enduring bonds of solidarity and resolutely confronting racial injustice, inequality, colonialism, and economic exploitation directing against Africans and people of African descent. The Congress is widely recognized for having inspired the political movements that brought independence to the African continent.
The Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN, Amb. Mohamed Edrees, recalling the African Union’s Theme of the year 2025, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, asserted that “Reparatory justice entails ensuring accountability and providing redress for the harms suffered. “We therefore call for inclusive development, equity, and shared prosperity as essential pathways to achieving reparatory justice,” commending progress achieved globally thus far in advancing reparatory justice, while acknowledging that smallest deeds are greater than the greatest intentions.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations and Chair of the African Group, H.E. Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale, the Permanent Representative of Malawi to the UN, H.E Amb. Agnes Mary Chimbiri-Molande stressed that, Pan-African movement has never been confined to the African continent. Rather it defines the partnership between Africa and CARICOM that Africa continues to celebrate and remains a legacy of Manchester. “This solidarity is vital as we pursue reparatory justice together”, she emphasized. Ambassador Chimbiri-Molande urged all participants to honour the delegates of 1945 not only with commemoration but with action, saying they transformed declarations into movements and movements into nations. “Our task is to transform the multilateral system so that it finally reflects the world they envisioned”. She concluded.
In her remarks, H.E. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations on behalf of CARICOM, echoed the strong historical bond of Africa and CARICOM carried over the years in common pursuit against injustice and oppression, asserting” we must be stronger than before, strive to achieve concrete reparatory justice”, from the horrific and brutal system that perpetuated racial discrimination, slavery, transatlantic slave trade, apartheid and colonialism, and had deprived Africans and People of African descent recognition, equality and self-determination. Its wounds, psychological distress, the economic inequalities disparities among and within Africa and People of African Descent, are still prevalent today, further adding,” it is our responsibility to ensure that our people have knowledge of their history, culture and nationalism, “our people without knowledge of their past history, culture and origin” is like a “tree without roots”, she emphasized.
H.E Amb. Martin Kimani, Former Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN and CEO of the Africa Center in New York City, recalled that this year also marks 125 years since the First Pan-African Conference, held in London from 23 to 25 July 1900 under the leadership of Henry Sylvester Williams of Trinidad and supported by W. E. B. Du Bois, underlining that, that gathering launched the Pan-African idea and issued an “Address to the Nations of the World,” demanding recognition of the rights of colonized peoples and equality for people of African descent. He noted that the Manchester Congress carried forward the vision born in London, transforming it from moral appeal to a political movement.
Participants at the commemoration engaged in insightful exchange of views during the interactive that followed, expressing their thought and respect for the bravery of the Pan-African freedom fighters whose sacrifice freed Africa from colonization and finally gained its independence. The commemoration also created a platform to addressing historical injustices, including the trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, and genocide among others, building on decades of advocacy and collaboration, aiming to foster unity and establish mechanisms for reparatory justice on a global scale.
It is worth recalling that, the Manchester Congress responded to the silence of the new international order on the question of empire. Many of its participants later led their nations to independence and used the United Nations as a platform for decolonization, transforming it from an institution concerned with maintaining order into one advancing freedom. “They demanded for Black Africa autonomy and independence, they were determined to be free, to have a right to express their thoughts and emotions and adopt and create forms of beauty”. Their collective action reshaped global politics, culminating in the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
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