Tuesday, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told African countries to put their resources together to strengthen pan-African economic cooperation.
Pan-Africanism has always been about African people – whether on the continent or in the diaspora – coming together, pooling their resources to build collective economic power for the good of all.
Obasanjo made this call at the 2024 Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day, held annually on September 17. The event was held in Lagos to mark Angola’s first president Agostinho Neto who declared the country’s independence on November 11, 1975.
The event was themed “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto”. It was organized by the Angolan Embassy in Nigeria. Neto died in Moscow at 56. He was Angola’s president from 1975 to 1979.
In his speech, Obasanjo spoke about the struggles of Pan-Africanism.
“As humans we forget our history and the leaders who died for the freedom we enjoy today,” Obasanjo said. “We have made some progress in political and cultural pan-Africanism, now it’s time for Africa’s economic liberation.”
He said African leaders are now implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA but economic Pan-Africanism is not getting the attention it deserves.
“Our Pan-Africanism must be strong. When we were drafting the new African Union charter, transitioning from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), we put economic ties first,” Obasanjo said.
The former AU chairman emphasized the need for stronger economic ties for Africa’s development.
“We have been fighting for Africa’s economic emancipation but we haven’t been entirely successful. Why did the slave trade exist? It was driven by the need for energy to build a new world and generate wealth. After slavery, colonialism followed, which exploited African resources to benefit other continents. We have made political gains but economic power eludes us.”
He called for economic Pan-Africanism to be re-visited, saying it’s the key to Africa’s true freedom.
Obasanjo also praised former Cuban President Fidel Castro’s role in Angola’s independence, citing his support. He recalled how the Nigerian government gave Angola $20 million in aid during the struggle for freedom.
“As long as we are economically weak, Pan-Africanism cannot move. We must build economic strength together, we must continue the work of Agostinho Neto.”
Angola’s Ambassador to Nigeria, José Zau said Neto’s ideals are still guiding the philosophy of African unity today. Zau said the choice of Lagos for the event was symbolic because of Neto’s history with the city.
“Neto was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Lagos during Obasanjo’s regime in the 1970s. That sealed his place in the history of political thought in Angola and Africa,” Zau said.
Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was represented at the event by Olamide Adediro. Tuggar said Nigeria will continue to strengthen ties with Angola and work together to tackle Africa’s problems in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
“Nigeria is proud to have supported Angola’s struggle for independence based on shared values. Neto’s vision of a united and self-reliant Africa is what we continue to work with our Angolan brothers and sisters for. Angola’s independence was not only a victory for the country but for the entire Africa and the black race.”
Follow Us
