Discuss the contribution of Pan-Africanism to anti-colonial struggles in Africa (conferences and their resolutions)

The London Conference of 1900

This was the first Pan-African conference, organised by Henry Sylvester Williams of Trinidad and held in London from 23rd to 25th July 1900. It was attended by representatives from Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States, including William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, who later became a leading figure in the movement.

Key resolutions:

• Coined the term "Pan-Africanism"
• Appealed to the British government to protect people of African origin from imperialist exploitation
• Called for solidarity among Africans in the diaspora and on the continent

The Paris Conference of 1919

Organised by Du Bois and Ida Gibbs Hunt, this conference was held in Paris in 1919 immediately after the First World War. It had 57 delegates and coincided with the Versailles Peace Conference.

Key resolutions:

• Petitioned the Versailles Peace Conference to adopt a mandate system for former German colonies (Togo, South West Africa, and German East Africa)
• Called for a code of laws for international protection of African natives
• Demanded the abolition of slavery and slave trade
• Called for universal education for African children and the right of Africans to own land

The Brussels Conference of 1921

This conference brought together 113 delegates, with 41 from Africa, mostly from French colonies.

Key resolutions:

• Condemned racial segregation and demanded equal rights for all people of African origin
• Condemned colonialism and called for self-determination for all African states
• Endorsed the "Declaration to the World," stating that "equality of all races was the absolute foundation of human advancement"

The Lisbon Conference of 1923

Held in Lisbon, Portugal, this conference addressed two main issues: opposition to Garveyism and protest against the suppression of Pan-Africanism.

Key resolutions:

• Demanded that black people have a voice in their governments
• Called for the right to own land and access free education
• Demanded fair trial under established legal processes
• Asserted that black people should be treated as human beings

The New York Conference of 1927

This conference addressed the threat of fascism, particularly Italy's plan to invade Ethiopia.

Key resolutions:

• Formed the International African Friends of Abyssinia
• Aimed to arouse sympathy and support for victims of fascist aggression in Ethiopia
• Sought to help Ethiopia preserve its territorial integrity and political independence

The Manchester Conference of 1945

This was a turning point in African history. It was attended by future African leaders including Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, Joseph B. Danquah, and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Key resolutions:

• Formed the Pan-African Federation of West African States, pledging to struggle for independence through non-violent means
• Attacked colonial constitutional reforms as irrelevant to African needs
• Condemned the indirect rule system as an instrument of oppression
• Condemned segregationist laws in South Africa and the Kipande system in Kenya
• Declared that Africans would use violent means if imperial powers refused to grant independence
• Expressed support for liberation struggles in India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam
• Shifted the focus of Pan-Africanism to Africa

The Accra Conference of 1958

This was the first Pan-African conference held in Africa after Ghana's independence in 1957. It was organised by Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore, with representatives from eight independent African states: Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Liberia.

Key resolutions:

• Adopted a strong anti-colonialism agenda
• Called for African freedom and independence as a necessity
• Urged independent African states to support liberation movements in colonies
• Expressed opposition to racism in South Africa and support for nuclear disarmament
• Established commitments for educational and cultural exchanges
• Suggested the creation of an African Commonwealth or United States of Africa

The Pan-African conferences made several important contributions to anti-colonial struggles in Africa:

Intellectual Foundation: The conferences provided a platform for African intellectuals and leaders to develop nationalist ideologies and articulate demands for self-rule. Ideas about African unity, dignity, and self-determination emerged from these deliberations.

International Mobilisation: By bringing together delegates from Africa, the Caribbean, and America, the conferences mobilised international opinion against colonialism. Petitions to the League of Nations and the United Nations put African grievances on the global stage.

Networking and Leadership Training: The conferences allowed future nationalist leaders to meet, exchange ideas, and build networks. For example, Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta attended the Manchester Conference in 1945 and later led independence movements in Ghana and Kenya.

Political Pressure: Conferences like Accra (1958) directly challenged colonial powers by declaring that colonialism must end. This political pressure accelerated decolonisation across the continent.

Continental Focus: After 1945, the movement shifted from diaspora concerns to African liberation. This shift directly contributed to the "Year of Africa" in 1960, when many African nations gained independence.

The Manchester Conference of 1945 illustrates how Pan-African conferences directly influenced anti-colonial struggles. After attending this conference, Kwame Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and formed the Convention People's Party in 1949. He organised mass campaigns of non-violent resistance, including the "Positive Action" campaign. Following the 1951 elections, the British granted internal self-government, and Ghana became independent in 1957—the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence. Nkrumah then hosted the Accra Conference in 1958, which strengthened Pan-African solidarity and inspired further liberation movements across the continent.

Understanding the Pan-African conferences helps Tanzanian students appreciate the historical foundations of the African Union (AU), which Tanzania actively participates in through the East African Community (EAC). For example, when buying locally produced goods like coffee or sisal, students can recognise how regional cooperation—rooted in Pan-African ideals of economic unity—supports Tanzanian farmers and businesses by creating broader markets within Africa rather than relying solely on foreign buyers.