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Fluminense Federal Institute, Pan-African Council, and Consulate General of Angola Sign Academic Cooperation Agreement

CAMPOS DOS GOYTACAZES, RJ – September 13, 2025 – The Fluminense Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology (IFFluminense), in partnership with the Pan-African Council (PAC), has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to foster collaboration in teaching, research, and extension activities. The agreement was co-signed by the Consul General of Angola in Rio de Janeiro and the Brazil-Angola Chamber of Commerce, with negotiations facilitated by the Pan-African Council, a strategic partner of the consulate.

The memorandum establishes a framework for mutual cooperation in teaching, research, extension, development, and cultural promotion, with a duration of five years.

Key areas of collaboration include:

• Exchange programs for professors, administrative staff, and students.
• Technical and scientific development initiatives for faculty and students.
• Joint implementation of teaching, research, and extension projects.
• Promotion of intercultural exchange activities among participants.
• Organization and participation in technical, scientific, and academic events.
• Sharing of academic materials and information.
• Development of short-term academic programs.
• Establishment of research networks and promotion of academic publications.

This partnership will operate under a model of mutual collaboration, with activities coordinated by IFFluminense’s International Cooperation Office and the Pan-African Council’s Office in South Africa. The agreement was signed by Victor Barbosa Saraiva, Rector of IFFluminense, and Rogério Soares de Siqueira, Ambassador of the Pan-African Council to Brazil.

This collaboration is poised to strengthen global and intercultural perspectives in education, science, and technology, fostering significant outcomes for all parties involved.

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Kenya – [January 21, 2025]

The Pan-African Council and the University of Nairobi’s (UoN) Department of Diplomacy and International Studies have executed a Collaboration Agreement. This agreement formalizes a shared commitment to identifying and pursuing priority areas of cooperation, thereby strengthening institutional collaboration in the pursuit of common objectives. Specifically, the agreement aims to facilitate enhanced cooperation through joint initiatives encompassing dialogues, conferences, training programs, and research endeavors. The established framework delineates the following areas of cooperative engagement:

I. RESEARCH STUDIES & CONFERENCES

• Interdisciplinary Research: Undertake research and studies on any issues related to Pan African and Diaspora Affairs, Conflict Management, Peace and Security in Africa while observing international research principles and standards. Encourage collaborative research projects that bridge various academic disciplines to address complex Pan-African issues;
• Knowledge Sharing, Policy Advisory and Dissemination: Facilitate the exchange of research findings and best practices through publications, workshops, and online platforms. Generate policy interventions that form the basis for advising government and nongovernmental agencies on Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs;
• Experiential: Organize joint conferences, symposia, courses, workshops and seminars in relation to Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs. Organization of academic and scientific activities such as workshops, courses and seminars;
• Data Collection and Analysis: Establish joint data collection initiatives and analytical frameworks to inform evidence-based policies and interventions.; and
• Collaborate on any other areas of cooperation in the field of Pan Africa and Diaspora Affairs to be mutually agreed upon.

LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING & OUTREACH

• Global Engagement: The University of Nairobi, Institute of Diplomacy and International studies through its Pan African and Diaspora Centre, shall serve as the liaison office for the Pan-African Council in Kenya. In this capacity, the Centre shall serve as a point of contact for the Council’s outreach, coordination, and implementation of Pan-African initiatives within Kenya. Simultaneously, the Council’s global network of offices and representatives will support the Centre’s global representation and influence by helping it foster partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Co-Creation & Fundraising: Organize joint fundraising through proposal writing to achieve the objectives of the Agreement and the co-creation of innovation solutions together to solve problems/exploit opportunities identified;
• Exchange Programs: Facilitate and endeavour to create educational and cultural exchange programs to promote intercultural understanding and appreciation; and,
• Promotion of other academic activities which enhance the mentioned goals herein

LEADERSHIP, STUDENT, AND STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING

• Leadership Development: Build the capacity of trainers of trainers to effect wider outreach at the grassroots level on peaceful coexistence and resilience against conflict. Organize leadership training programs for young African leaders to equip them with the skills and knowledge to drive positive change in Africa and regions of the Diaspora;
• Mentorship and Coaching: endeavour to establish mentorship and coaching opportunities to support the professional development of students, faculty, and staff;
• Capacity building for students through internships, attachments, and scholarships;
• Capacity building for research and technology development and through technical and executive courses;
• Curriculums development to support training on Pan African and Diaspora studies; and,
• Conduct Training Needs Assessment of various sections of the society that need capacity enhancement.

About the University of Nairobi Department of Diplomacy and International Studies

The Departments aim is to be a leading regional and international Centre of scholarly excellence in Diplomacy and International Studies; and, to advance the pursuit of knowledge through relevant and quality research, publications, teaching, training and consultancy in various areas of International Studies, Diplomacy, International Conflict Management and Strategic Studies.

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Virtual – [December 5, 2024]

In preparation for the Education for Africa Dialogic Summit (EADiS), the Pan-African Council has partnered with Global Impact Industries and Africa Voices Dialogue to launch a virtual summit this December 6, 2024, which will culminate in a 3-day in-person summit and 2-day excursion in Nairobi, Kenya, or Johannesburg, South Africa, from May 26–30, 2025. The initiative will focus on the historical and educational connections between HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and African institutions, aiming to deepen Pan-African integration within academic departments, leadership, and students. This effort will foster a global network of Pan-African scholars and advocates across the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, and the broader Diaspora.

The panel will feature vibrant discussions between leaders from African universities and HBCUs, focusing on strategies to champion the African education agenda globally. Building on the momentum of the recent Education for Africa Dialogic Summit, this initiative aims to lay the foundation for lasting partnerships in support of Pan-African education and connecting with the broader global diaspora community.

Project objectives include:

1. Bridge Pan-African History with HBCUs
   This panel will highlight the historical ties between Pan-Africanism and HBCUs, creating an avenue for
   educational institutions from the U.S. and Africa to integrate and collaborate. This will support the shared
   vision of uniting African and African American students and scholars in the global academic community.
2. Facilitate E-HBCU Panel with Academic Leadership and Students
   Host a virtual event scheduled on December 6, 2024. The event will focus on leadership from various
   academic departments, allowing both faculty and students to discuss important issues, exchange ideas,
   and develop strategies for long-term cooperation.
3. Invite 14 HBCU and African Universities Speakers
   Representatives from at least four HBCUs will be invited to speak on the history and future of Pan-
   Africanism in education while discussing potential collaborations with African universities.
4. Invite Key Agencies, Global Diaspora and Key Leaders
   Representatives from key agencies will be invited to speak on the resources, private sector
   emerging market commitments of HBCUs, while discussing potential collaborations with African
   universities.
5. Engage African Universities
   African universities within our existing network will be invited to participate. This will strengthen
   existing relationships and open opportunities for future partnerships.
6. Provide High-Level Administration and Support
   We will provide specialized administrative support throughout the event. This includes recommending
   and securing relevant HBCU panelists who are influential in Pan-Africanism and global education.

RSVP link: https://www.bit.ly/AVD_31

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SOUTH AFRICA  —

Context

The Boipatong massacre, a brutal attack in 1992 that claimed 45 lives and left lasting scars on the South African township, serves as a stark reminder of the country’s turbulent past. This tragic event continues to resonate with the Boipatong community, where survivors grapple with profound loss and economic hardship.

Recognizing the resilience of the Boipatong community, particularly a group of skilled seamstresses, the Colombian Embassy, in collaboration with the Pan-African Council, embarked on a commendable initiative. Ambassadors Maria del Rosario Mina Rojas and Monde Mshudulu identified these women and generously donated sewing machines to empower their craft. This act of support aimed to provide economic opportunities and foster self-sufficiency within the community.

A Collaborative Effort for Upliftment

To further strengthen this initiative, a pivotal meeting took place at Vaal University of Technology (VUT). Ambassador Rojas and Mr. Mshudulu explored potential partnerships with VUT’s Fashion Design department. Professor Kehla Ndlovu, Vice-Chancellor of VUT, welcomed the collaboration and envisioned an expanded program. This program would not only equip the Boipatong seamstresses with essential skills but also create exchange programs with Colombian universities, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange.

The Colombian designer, Laura Laurens, who was captivated by a Boipatong fashion show held in October 2023, further bolstered the initiative. With the combined efforts of the Colombian Embassy, the Pan-African Council, and VUT, the sewing machine donation took place on February 21st, 2024. Professor Ndlovu’s optimism regarding the project’s potential for positive impact on the Boipatong community, VUT, and beyond, resonates throughout this collaborative effort. The potential exchange programs with Colombian universities hold the promise of fostering long-lasting connections and shared learning opportunities.

More details on the VUT website.

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA  —

The Pan-African Council (PAC) recently participated in Johnson C. Smith University‘s Lyceum Engagement Series on February 22nd, 2024, highlighting its mission to collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in supporting Pan-African development.

“There’s a significant number of developments happening across Africa, and diverse nationalities are involved, however African-Americans are underrepresented,” stated Fabien Anthony, Chairman of the PAC, according to the QCity Metro interview. Joining Anthony at the Lyceum luncheon were Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and founder of the SEED Project (a youth leadership development program through basketball), and Her Royal Highness Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of South Africa’s Royal Bafokeng Nation.

The forum aimed to dispel misconceptions and inaccurate information about Africa, while showcasing its positive developments. “Our goal is to demonstrate the opportunities available to JCSU,” said Anthony. “We are keen to explore avenues for expanding global education, facilitating student exchange programs, and collaborating with Mr. Fall and the Princess’ initiatives.”

Princess Molotlegi addressed sustainable community development and educational development, while Mr. Fall discussed opportunities for student-athletes.

A Sports-Oriented Approach

Mr. Fall emphasized his mission of fostering a stronger connection between the BAL and Black Americans. Following the BAL’s launch in 2021, there has been some American participation, including celebrity entertainer J. Cole. This trend has steadily increased year after year. The BAL’s partnership with the NBA has accelerated the league’s growth in its short lifespan of three years. Recognizing basketball’s global appeal, Mr. Fall seeks to capitalize on this popularity by engaging HBCU players.

“We want to make the BAL an option for basketball players to continue their careers. A player from JCSU can look at us and see us as an option,” he stated.

A 2020 study by the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) revealed that only 1.2% of college basketball players are drafted by the NBA annually. This percentage shrinks further each year due to the increasing number of international players entering the draft.

Over 20% of college basketball players pursue professional careers internationally or in the NBA’s G-League, its developmental league. The rapidly growing BAL presents another promising avenue for college basketball players to pursue professional aspirations.

Mr. Fall expressed his hope that this message will resonate with potential players from JCSU and other HBCUs.

Looking Forward

As reported by QCity Metro, Mr. Anthony indicated that the PAC will continue exploring avenues to connect with HBCUs and the African American community, aligning with its existing initiatives such as trade forums and youth engagement programs.

In 2022, the Council supported the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, fostering collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean Islands through knowledge sharing on investments, trade, climate change, health, and more. Beyond event coordination, PAC offers youth mentorship and development programs, along with grants and programs that enhance youth access to education, development skills, mentorship, and sustainability initiatives.

“There’s been significant past discourse about organizations developing Pan-African engagement,” concluded Mr. Anthony. “The Council is here to demonstrably taking action.”

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA  —

The Pan-African Council and Johnson C. Smith University – JCSU join forces in Charlotte, North Carolina for the university’s Lyceum Engagement Series on February 22nd, 2024.

The engaging panel discussion will include Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and founder of the SEED Project who will speak on the significance of sports, youth, and basketball as a socioeconomic driver across Africa; Her Royal Highness Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of South Africa’s Royal Bafokeng Nation who will speak on sustainable community development and the empowerment of youth and girls; and our very own Chairman, Mr Fabien Anthony of the Pan-African Council who will discuss meaningful Africa-Diaspora engagement, impact investments, and fostering economic and social prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.

The panel will be followed by a Q&A period where students, alumni, staff, and other participants will ask questions relating to the discussion and possibilities for expanding global education, partnerships, and collaboration. Most importantly, the event will aim to explore further partnership opportunities in the aforementioned areas to further support Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCUs’) engagement with the rapid developments happening across the Africa continent.

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NAIROBI, KENYA  —

The Pan-African Council is pleased to announce the signature of a strategic partnership agreement with Effortless Insight Africa for The Future of Education & Work in Africa (FEWA) Conference 2024.

The partnership will be instrumental in facilitating engagement with various international institutions, investor delegations and companies across the continent and the Diaspora. The conference anticipates diverse delegations of government officials, Educationists, entrepreneurs and investors from different regions keen on investing in Education innovation and Technology in Africa. It will be held at The Edge Convention Centre Nairobi April 16 to 18 in 2024. The signing between myself and the chair of the council,Fabien Anthony was witnessed by College of insurance CEO Dr. Ben Kajwang and College of Insurance/Edge Centre Head of ICT Abiud Ogechi

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By Danait D. Tafere, Conflict Analyst

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Pan-African Council.

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Mainstream media is often so focused on tragedy that we barely understand the significance of a particular segment of news. We instead receive a constant influx of grim headlines and traumatic episodes that flood into our homes. These types of fear-based media campaigns desensitize us to violence and human suffering. This consequently manipulates us into staying isolated and atomized in our thoughts and communities, fearful of our neighbors, let alone have sufficient emotional energy left over to help or care for them. According to a study at the Pew Media Center, approximately 90% of the news we hear is negative, leaving us with a sense of confusion, misinformation, and powerlessness. In this article, I will focus on some truths experienced from a local woman’s perspective in the hopes of demystifying the misinformation around the Tigray crisis through a historical lens of the region as well as shed light on its significance for all of Africa.

When 32 freed African nations came together in 1963 to create the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa, their biggest challenge at the time was colonization. In the course of time, African countries were progressively “decolonized” and achieved independence, at least on paper. Nonetheless the ground reality left villages split in to two, oftentimes three different countries while their lands and natural resources became the private property of former colonizers and their corporations. The new face of systematic colonization much like systemic racism in the US, where the freedom of African-Americans achieved in 1863 was followed by draconian Jim Crow laws that obliged newly-freed individuals to work on their former slave masters land and share up to 100% of the profit. Developing this new form of oppression through the use of capital, became the defining feature of American globalized capitalism. A hundred years later, in Africa, newly freed nations also found themselves restricted by an evolving systemic colonization. In his essay, The Last Stage of Imperialism, the then President and Doctor Kwame Nkrumah named this ‘neo-colonialism’ and stated “the essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of international sovereignty. In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside…by monetary control over foreign exchange through the imposition of a banking system controlled by the imperial power. The result of neo-colonialism is that foreign capital is used for the exploitation rather than for the development of the less developed parts of the world. Investment under neo-colonialism increases rather than decreases the gap between the rich and the poor countries of the world. The struggle against neo-colonialism is not aimed at excluding the capital of the developed world from operating in less developed countries. It is aimed at preventing the financial power of the developed countries being used in such a way as to impoverish the less developed.” Poor countries today receive about $130 billion in international aid annually while $2.4 trillion is extracted in resources via colonially imposed mechanism that obscure legality around these practices.

Reflecting on Abyssinian history, the Queen Sheba was a prominent figure in the Judaic, Islamic, and Christian traditions. Her kingdom was referred to as both to the south and to the east of Israel. The Aksumite Kingdom’s, Solomonic Dynasty used the name “Ethiopia” as early as the 4th Century and which is also the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The Empire also at times extended across most Western Yemen, Southern Saudi Arabia, parts of Eastern Sudan and Northern Africa. Hosting one of the oldest mosques in the world, Al Nejashi Mosque. It is said that when “The Prophet Mohammed realized that he could not protect his followers from the attacks in Mecca. He told them to go to the Habesha land, there is a Christian king there. There is justice in his kingdom. – Inspired by the Ethiopian hospitality, Prophet Mohammed instructed his followers to respect and protect Ethiopia as well as live in peace with Ethiopian Christians… Al Nejashi mosque is considered by many as the second most sacred place of Islamic worship and rightly dubbed by Ethiopian Muslims as ‘the second Mecca.”

Since the Abyssinian Empire, Ethiopia claims it was never colonized, however today’s borders are not organic borders, rather they are borders imposed upon the country. To the east we have the Somali-Ethiopians, to the west we have the Gambella–Ethiopians – who are much more like the Sudanese and in the north the Tigray’s – who are the same as most Eritreans, similarly in the south and the Kenyan border. During colonization Ethiopia fought against the Italians but instead of pushing them fully off the coast of the Horn of Africa, Amhara King Menelik II, fearful of the strength of the Tigray speaking north and their rivalry, for the King of Kings title of Ethiopia allowed the Italians to keep current-day Eritrea by splitting the Tigray speaking population of Abyssinia who were the epicenter of the Solomonic Dynasty in the holy city of Axum.

In the 60s, a military coup assassinated King Haile Selassie and the Derg assumed power. This led to a 17-year era known as the “Red Terror” – a bloody era of economic hardship and suffering in Ethiopian history. This period also gave birth to the TPLF and several other PLFs (people’s liberation fronts) like the OLF in Oromia, WSLF in Somalia, ALF in Afra, representing different regions of Ethiopia – these PLFs jointly overtook the Derg and created a collective federal party EPDRF and maintained their own regional autonomy. Each region designated their own leader and appointed them to Addis, in contrast to the New Prosperity Party’s proposal of a top-down decision-making process that undermines indigenous nuances among the 80+ diverse ethnic groups of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s Contemporary Rise and Decline

Over the last three decades, Ethiopia became a commanding force on the Africa continent, leading sustainable development both internally and externally. Ethiopia’s close political ties with China, was extended to the rest of Africa creating competition for pre-existing colonial powers that monopolized vast areas and sectors of the continent. Ethiopia’s economy grew at a remarkable annual average rate of 10.8 percent. GDP increased from US$122 in 1999 to US$794 in 2015, poverty declined from 44.2 percent in 1999 to 23.5 percent in 2015. Illiteracy among adults fell from 20.4 million in 2011 to 7 million in 2016. In an ongoing effort to modernize the financial system which only had 16 private banks and two government banks in the 90s, by 2015 Ethiopia had 363 private bank branches and 131 government bank branches. In rural areas, 18,000 Savings and Credit Cooperative Workers Associations were established serving 11.8 million customers. The government also heavily invested in infrastructure development i.e. freeways connecting different regions, train systems that travel to neighboring countries. With rapid building of massive industrial parks in several major regions, Ethiopia also became a preferred location for cheap labor, safe investments and an influx of hundreds global manufacturing industries. The country’s national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines (with its slogan “The Spirit of Africa”), became the pride of not just Ethiopia but the whole of Africa. Africa’s largest dam, the GRED, is a $5 billion project that no international financial institution such as the World Bank and IMF wanted to support. It was launched by P.M. Meles Zenawi of Tigray who mobilized the Ethiopian Diaspora to get the project going, using 100% of Ethiopian labor, financing and material made in Ethiopia. Ethiopia was developing at an even faster pace than China and with the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia also became the world’s third largest political hub after New York and Geneva. In addition, Ethiopia served as the main peacekeeper in the Horn of Africa fighting Al Shabab and other “extremist/terrorist” groups across East Africa and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region while providing the highest number of UN peacekeepers internationally.

Despite all of that, the status that Ethiopia once enjoyed is becoming increasingly unrecognizable under the country’s new leadership. From the arrest of OLF’s Oromo political leaders in the south, to the assassinations of the Amhara regional president and the head of the Amhara region military in the west, to igniting an all-out civil war in the North. A good question to ask here is, why does a country that was clearly on the right path to economic and political prosperity need new and rigorous reforms? The answer that comes to mind for me is, Nkrumah’s explanation of systemic colonization – the breaking up former larger united territories into a number of small non-viable and manageable states which are incapable of independent development and must rely upon colonial power for defense and even internal security.

Changing Times

When I moved to Ethiopia in mid-2018 it wasn’t my first experience. In 2015 I completed an internship at IGAD (The Intergovernmental Authority on Development) in the office of the Special Envoy for South Sudan under the leadership for Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin and reported to Ambassador Tewolde Gebremeskel. In 2016, I operated a farm in Agena, in the Southern Nations region as well as an AirBnB business in Addis Ababa that catered to tourist from all around the world. When I returned to Ethiopia in May 2018, I dedicated myself to an all women-owned and operated honey farm with a solar powered processing plant in Hagare Selam, Tigray, as well as teaching workshops at Mekelle University. The atmosphere in Addis at the time was very tense. There were rumours about the death of the Grand Renascence Dam’s lead engineer, Simegnew Bekele, being that of an inside job. He was found dead in broad daylight in Meskel Square, and the police reported it as a suicide. Prior to that, P.M. Abiy Ahmed Ali was invited to meet with Donald Trump, this time in Egypt and was given an award for reasons that still haven’t been made public. The Tigrinya speaking population of Addis Ababa began selling their homes and business and relocating to Tigray. By the end of 2018 there were already over 200,000 Tegaru who were internally displaced from other regions back to Tigray. Today we have 2.5 million internally displaced people in Tigray with 4.5 million at risk of starvation. When the Eritrean border opened, thousands of deprived Eritreans fled into Tigray. This inflated market prices creating problem for locals in Tigray who were now paying up to 200% more for goods and services. With persecution from the other parts of Ethiopia leading to an influx of Tigray populations moving back to Tigray and the flood of Eritrean migrants by the tens of thousands, conflict in other regions had also scared foreign tourist and investors, many of which headed to Tigray which was one of the only safe region in Ethiopia. Threatened by the influx of activities in Tigray, the federal government attempted to discourage travel to Tigray by denying investors from boarding a flight to Tigray, and even arrested some of them. In June 2019, the head of the Federal Army General Se’are (Tigrayan) was murdered in his home, as was the retired General Gezae who was also of Tigrayan ethnicity. Both were killed by General Se’are’s own bodyguard who was reassigned to him a few months before the killing by the P.M.’s office for undisclosed reasons.

The Escalation

Timeline of the escalation of conflict between the Federal government and both the leadership and people of Tigray:

• Apr. 2018 — After years of anti-government protests, Hailemariam Desalegn steps down Abiy Ahmed is elected leader by the EPRDF for the remaining 2 years until Aug. 2020.
• 2018–2020 — Abiy implements wave of reforms.
• June 2018 — Abiy travels to Cairo and makes a deal about GRED.
• July 2018 — GRED Head Engineer Killed.
• Mid 2018 — 1.4 million Ethiopians internally displaced.
• Sep. 2018 — Eritrea –Tigray Border open, heavy Eritrean migration into Tigray.
• June 2019 — Generals of Federal Army Assassinated.
• Oct 2019 — Abiy awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for resolving the long-running conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• Aug. 2020 — Abiy postpones the much-anticipated August 2020 general elections.
• Sep. 2020 — Tigray holds their own election, electing their regional leaders. 2.7 million people voted.
• Oct. 2020 — Abiy cuts the Tigray Regional Budget accuses the TPLF of unlawfully holding their own polls. When a General was sent to Tigray to take over the Northern Command post, the Tigray Defense force sent him back to Addis.
• 3 Nov. 2020 — Tigray Defense Force takes over Northern command.
• 4 Nov. 2020 — Abiy makes a statement saying the TPLF has “crossed a red line” and a military offensive will be launched.
• 7 Nov.2020 — Parliament declares Tigray government illegal and Eritrean Force entered Tigray

Currently Eritrean and Ethiopian soldiers have sealed off the borders of Tigray, prohibiting both entry and exit. Cities in the region have implemented curfews with harsh penalties, some punishable by death. Meanwhile, Eritrean and Ethiopian Soldiers are deliberately destroying historical artifacts like Al Nejashi Mosque which was bombed, university labs and hospitals have also been destroyed and being blamed on the TPLF. There are also gruesome atrocities and violent killing sprees in MaiKadra, as well as massacres in the holy city of Axum and a spike in gender-based violence and violence against children which has left the region devastated with over 50,000 dead, and 60,000 fleeing to Sudan – just before the borders were sealed. The federal government continues to deny these occurrences and has pushed the blame onto the people of Tigray themselves for the conflict. Displacement, ethic cleansing, sexual violence and destructions of artifacts are common tactics in times of war. There have been several reports on the atrocities committed in Tigray, but we have yet to see the international community take action by creating a special envoy for Tigray and Ethiopia. On February 19th, 2021 the Tigray-elected government released a statement regarding a peaceful resolution laying out their eight preconditions for negotiations, the top ones included: 1. The exit of ALL Foreign Troops facilitated by UN peacekeepers. 2. Full Humanitarian Access 3. Restoration of Elected Leaders Legitimacy. 4. Third Party Investigate of atrocities committed.

The federal government must accept these conditions in order to stop the violence immediately and create a space for real dialogue. It is only through dialogue that devastations like the famine Tigray experienced in 1977 can be avoided. The aftermath of war and trauma from that era still weighs on the collective mind and ethnic identity in Tigray. 30 years later, the same war is now plaguing a younger generation of Tigrayans that are on the ground fighting and putting their lives at risk, while the diaspora feels helpless. Unfortunately, this war in Tigray is not the only war on the African continent, there are armed struggles in various regions around the world –  from Central and West Africa, to the Caribbean, South America, US and everywhere Black people are present I leave you with the words of Malcolm X: “We are not outnumbered, we’re out organized”.

We encourage people of African descent everywhere to observe and oppose these neocolonial wars that serve exogenous interests and actively destabilize of the Horn of Africa which further threatens security and prosperity on the African continent.

The Pan-African Council (PAC) – Caribbean Region is launching its webinar series Caribbean Futures: A Youth Centred Approach on March 4th, 2021 @ 2:00pm EST. The series launch is in partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS).

The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the recent spotlight on anti-Black racism has created a paradigm shift in the global discourse of neoliberal policies, which in turn has positioned the Caribbean in a familiar situation of alienation, where the region must reach internally to conceptualize solutions to address its current crises. As such, Caribbean Futures: A Centred Approach series acts as a bridge to foster intergenerational dialogue between Caribbean leaders and youth in thinking of Caribbean futures.

The overall goal of the webinar is to host a series of 8 conversations, in the hope that they that will lead to practical actions spearheaded by Caribbean youth in partnership with scholars, activists, political and community leaders. The dialogues and proposed action plans will address the following themes: anti-Black systemic racism; Education in the Caribbean; Access to Capital; Climate Justice; Food Sovereignty; Arts and Culture and the Tourism Industry. Part of the overall goal of the project is for participants to leave with the necessary tools and resources to disrupt the cycles of discrimination and exploitation that limit the progress and development of the Caribbean and its people.

Webinar attendance is free, register today!
www.panafricancouncil.org/carib2021

A virtual forum on leveraging African cultural heritage as a strategy for integration and regional development

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QUIBDO, CHOCO, REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA — On Thursday, September 17, 2020 the Pan-African Council alongside the Government of Choco, Colombia is co-organising a virtual forum entitled “Cultural Heritage as a Strategy for Integration and Regional Development”.

The Chocó Department is a region of Colombia known for its overwhelming Afro-Colombian population, nearing 90% of the total population. Located in the west of the country, it is the only Colombian department to have coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Fiestas de San Pacho (The St. Francis of Assisi Festival) is held annual in the department’s capital Quibdó, which consist of sixteen days of barrio-based parades and religious observations, with other activities that begin a month earlier. These celebrations have served as an affirmation of community and a claim to belonging and ownership of African heritage, as a form of cultural resistance.

This virtual forum will be carried out with the objective of commemorating Heritage Month in the Department of Choco, Colombia, where local, national and international speakers will be invited to address the issue of cultural heritage as a regional integration and development strategy. Special guests will discuss ways in which culture can be used a catalyst for development and the lessons that can be learned from a global perspective that involves the experiences of people of African descent in the United States and Brazil. This forum is geared towards artists, creators, cultural managers, members of the area, culture and heritage councils, municipal cultural coordinators and secretaries, and the general public.

The event, held in Spanish, is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.