Togo: Preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé

Togo is on the brink of hosting a landmark event—the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled to take place between late October and early November 2024 in Lomé. This prestigious opportunity, a testament to Togo’s dynamic and proactive diplomacy, is largely credited to the efforts of President Faure Gnassingbé and his Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Robert Dussey.

Through their commitment and vision, Lomé is set to become the stage for a global gathering that will shape the future of Pan-Africanism.

Under the astute leadership of Professor Dussey, Togo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked tirelessly to secure the organization of this significant edition of the Pan-African Congress.

The selection of Lomé as the host city is no coincidence but the outcome of a strategic diplomatic push aimed at enhancing Togo’s role on both the African and international stages.

By hosting this event, Togo positions itself as a key player in discussions on the future of Africa and its diasporas.

The final preparatory conference, which commenced on August 29, 2024, in Salvador, Brazil, focusing on the Afro-descendant diaspora region, represents the last step before the Lomé Congress.

This gathering brings together global experts to discuss the theme “Memory, Restitution, Reparation, and Reconstruction.” The recommendations from this meeting will be crucial in guiding the discussions in Lomé and reflecting the aspirations of Afro-descendant populations.

The diplomatic success of this initiative is also rooted in previous preparatory meetings held across Africa.

These meetings tackled critical themes such as Pan-Africanism, science and technology, and the role of African diasporas in the continent’s development.

The Lomé Pan-African Congress will be the fourth to take place in Africa, following those in Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Johannesburg. It continues a tradition of uniting the continent’s and its diaspora’s vital forces to address major challenges and propose sustainable solutions.

By hosting this 9th edition, Togo, under President Faure Gnassingbé’s leadership, reaffirms its commitment to playing a pivotal role in the Pan-African movement.

This event is a crucial moment for both Togo and Africa, highlighting how Togo’s proactive diplomacy, embodied by Professor Robert Dussey, serves as a powerful tool for continental integration and development.

Chantal Tawelessi