Kampala (Uganda) 17 January 2025 (SPS)– In a resounding declaration of unity and solidarity, over 1,000 delegates from across the continent gathered at the Africa Youth Congress 2025 (AYC) in Kampala to reaffirm their commitment to Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and support to the total liberation of Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony.
Hosted under the theme “Africanism: Modernize Along Culture,” the final communiqué of the Congress, the Kampala Declaration, delivered a clear message of solidarity with the people of the Sahrawi Republic.
The delegates unequivocally affirmed their support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and called for the total decolonization of their land. This resolution was hailed as a reaffirmation of Africa’s commitment to justice and liberation, underscoring that the fight against colonialism is not yet over.
The Congress embraced a bold vision of African unity, emphasizing the need for a “Centre of Gravity” approach to foster solidarity and collective progress. Delegates pledged to expand the Africa Youth Congress to all 55 African states, ensuring it becomes a powerful platform for youth empowerment and a catalyst for Pan-African unity.
The AYC’s commitment to the liberation of the Sahrawi Republic and its vision of a modern, culturally grounded, and united Africa captured the spirit of the Congress. The delegates pledged to uphold the principles of African unity and to build a stronger, more unified continent for future generations.
The Congress, was marked by vibrant discussions, cultural displays, and affirmed commitments to the continent's future. Delegates lauded Uganda’s instrumental role in the establishment and success of the AYC, with special recognition given to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his unwavering Pan-Africanist vision and patronage.
“Pan-Africanism is not a relic of the past—it is the path to our collective future,” stated one delegate. The Congress committed to strengthening cultural preservation while embracing modernization, with African values serving as the foundation for sustainable development.
The Kampala Declaration urged African governments, Pan-Africanist leaders, and global allies to bolster the AYC’s capacity through ideological training, community development initiatives, and committee facilitation. President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and President Museveni were specifically called upon to continue their invaluable support as the AYC prepares for its next congress in Harare, Zimbabwe, in January 2026.
The Congress also celebrated the successful election of a new Standing Committee, which will lead the organization into its next phase. With Uganda retaining the AYC Secretariat, Kampala will remain the hub of administrative and operational functions, ensuring continuity in its mission.
As the Kampala Declaration concluded, it was clear that the Africa Youth Congress 2025 had not only charted a course for the future but had also reignited the flames of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and liberation.
It should be recalled that the Sahrawi Republic was represented to the Congress by Chargé d’Affaires at the Sahrawi Embassy in Uganda, Mr. Mohamed Ali Daf, who strongly advocated for the rights of the Sahrawi people to freedom and independence during the opening ceremony of Africa Youth Congress 2025, which started Yesterday morning in Kampala, Uganda. (SPS)
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