Afrika Liberation Day (ALD) was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) ON May 25th 1963 under its charter which declared:
(a) To promote the unity and solidarity of the African States;
(b) To coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa;
(c) To defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence;
(d) To eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa… (1)
Its creation was a compromise of sorts between the more moderate Monrovia group (Nigeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sudan, Togo, and Somalia) and the Casablanca group (Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria), which was seen as more radical in spite of its internal contradictions. (2)
ALD has become a staple in the global Afrikan calendar ever since. It was renamed Africa Day in 2002 when the OAU morphed into the AU (African Union), that some regard as an “Arab colonialist” project. (3)
Nevetheless, ALD spread amongst activists across the globe. Significantly, the Pan African Congress Movement (PACM) began in the UK in 1975, making this year its 50th consectutive observance.
In recognition of this milestone, they have organised the ‘From Africa to The UK’ tour of HRH Changambire J Maponga with Special guests Professor James Small, Her Majesty Mambokadzi Aluko, and other honoured African luminaries, taking in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Manchester. It is promoting the theme ‘The Grand African Renaissance’ – a significant focus for the African heritage family, business, and community.
The tour dates are:
Sat, 24 May 2025 2pm – 9pm, The Malcolm X Community Centre, 141 City Road St Paul’s Bristol BS2 8YH
Sun, 25 May 2025 4pm-8pm, The West Indian Community Centre, 74 Carmoor Road Manchester M13 0FB
Monday 26 May 2025, Pan African Congress Movement 50th Africa Liberation Day, 10am – 8pm, Legacy Centre of Excellence, 144 Potters Lane Birmingham B6 4UU
Sun, 1 Jun 2025 4pm – 8pm, Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701-703 High Road Haringey London N17 8AD
(https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pan-african-congress-movement-50th-africa-liberation-day-birmingham-2025-tickets-1276616366919?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile&fbclid=IwY2xjawKMfJdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB5bTlwa3l2cFJodU9xcmZIAR6RFHqvL43fUZeX8O1upNCB6G7SsqtUDlVqVzr_xi5LUn926g5mOBJSILj1Yw_aem_SvXAhF6xVozdVK0MKj9-Ng).
Issie the tour will address include:
“Honouring and promoting the principles of ALD.
A Cultural Exchange between Africa and its Diaspora.
Reclaiming African Monarchy.
Promoting land investment and agriculture.
Illuminating the power of African spirituality.
Strengthening the kinship between African and Diasporan children.
Addressing repatriation from the Diaspora to the Motherland.” (4)
Renowned Senegalese polymath Cheikh Anta Diop articulated the notion of an African Renaissance in a series of essays he wrote between 1946 and 1960. He advocated the freeing from colonial contraints of Afrikan languages, literature, the arts, architecture, music and indiginous culture as a precursor to the independence movement. (5)
After decades of neocolonial domination, there was an attempted revival under the then South African president Thabo Mbeki in the 1990s. However, not only did this fail to overcome the internal contradictions of the African Union, it essentially rose and fell with his own political fortunes. (6)
It does appear that notions of African renaissance are often mediated through political leaders. In the current context it is Burkina Faso president Captain Ibrahim Traore and the Alliance of Sahel States, alongside Mali’s Assimi Goïta and Niger’s Abdourahamane Tchiani. (7) Recent attacks from AFRICOM have only served to bolster his standing, sparking global demonstrations of support, as well as being an encouraging indication of the breadth of Pan-Afrikan sentiment globally. (8)
Grand Master Warrior Teacher and Ancestor Baba John Henrik Clarke once said that Afrika’s liberation will be assured when an Afrikan leader unashamedly pours libation to an Afrikan God on a world stage. In spite of the current climate of optimism, such a criteria is not ostensibly on the verge of being met.
Other ALD Events
Sat, 24 May 2025, African People’s Socialist Party, 5pm – 8pm, The WASP Centre, 161 Clapham Manor Street, London SW2 6DB. Info: alduhuru.org.
(1) Tchioffo Kodjo (14/03/12) OAU Charter, Addis Ababa, 25 May 1963. http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/oau-charter-addis-ababa-25-may-1963
(2) South African History Online (03/04/11) Organisation of African Unity (OAU). https://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/organisation-african-unity-oau
(3) Basil Okafor (19/04/07) Africa: Black Africans Must Tread Carefully Over the USAfrica Project. https://allafrica.com/stories/200704190368.html; Nicholas Mwangi (30/06/22) African Liberation Day, Not Africa Day. https://hoodcommunist.org/2022/06/02/african-liberation-day-not-africa-day/
(4) Nia Imara (03/01/25) SAVE THE DATES
(5) Cheikh Anta Diop (2024) Towards the African Renaissance: Essays on African Culture & Development 1946-1960. Karnak House. p. 44-5
(6) Thandisizwe Mgudlwa (12/09/21) It’s time we reignite the spark of African Renaissance mission. https://iol.co.za/capetimes/opinion/2021-09-12-its-time-we-reignite-the-spark-of-african-renaissance-mission/
(7) Steve Biko Wafula (19/01/25) In Two Years of President Ibrahim Traoré: The Renaissance Of Burkina Faso And The Dawn Of An African Awakening. https://sokodirectory.com/2025/01/in-two-years-of-president-ibrahim-traore-the-renaissance-of-burkina-faso-and-the-dawn-of-an-african-awakening/
(8) Yahya Habil (22/08/16) AFRICOM’s attacks on Traoré backfire as Africans rally in his support. https://trt.global/afrika-english/article/a5a1c9ff6aed; Kimbunga Media (01/05/25) PAN-AFRIKAN SOLIDARITY MARCH for BURKINA FASO & Ibrahim Traore • London UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwvUdJqZLI&t=792s
What is the Afrikan Renaissance?
1) Do we have a model of what of Afrikan Liberation looks like?
2) What role does spirituality play?
3) Are we currently in a time of renaissance with Traore?
4) What role does the diaspora have in the Afrikan Renaissance?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
HRH Changambire J Maponga: is the CEO ofthe institute ‘Farmers of Thought’, a core establishment of consciousness toimprove the quality of human experiences. He is a pragmatic African citizenwith a global view of “Think globally and act locally”, as he says it. An elderwith no limitations that plays a dozen musical instruments, is an author, lifecoach and social entrepreneur. HRH is a graduate of Andrews University BerrienSprings Michigan USA; he holds a Degree in Philosophy (BA Theology) and PersonaMinistries, with a variety of qualifications from international institutionsuch as the ILO (International Labor Organization). The birth of his daughtersand their growth has inspired him to develop tools for youth development andparenting. His book, ‘Shopping Skills’ has been well received and his otherwork, ‘So You Want to Be the Master’ became a bestseller.
Mzee (Elder) Professor James Small: is a MasterTeacher, scholar activist, dynamic speaker, and organizational consultant. Heis CEO of Sanaa Lodge Enterprise, Ghana, Ltd.; CEO & President, African-American Management Company, Ghana, Ltd.; International Vice President,Organization of Afro-American Unity (O.A.A.U.); International Vice President ofWorld African Diaspora Union (WADU); Priest of Oya, Babalorisha, Ifa Tradition;former Imam (retired) of the Muslim Mosque Inc. founded by Malcolm X; and pastPresident of the Eastern Region of the Association for the Study of ClassicalAfrican Civilization (ASCAC).
Bro. Taharkah Teranga: is a researcher and a long standing active member of the Pan-African Congress Movement, one of the pioneer Black Nationalist organisations in the UK.