Addis Ababa, June 21, 2025 (FMC) — Government Chief Whip Tesfaye Beljige underscored the urgent need to revitalize Pan-Africanism as a foundational pillar for achieving political unity and economic integration across the African continent.
Speaking at the Arda Policy Talk Series hosted today by the Foreign Affairs Institute, Tesfaye traced Pan-Africanism’s historical roots as a potent counterforce to colonialism and white supremacy, evolving into a transformative political ideology and cultural movement.
He emphasized that Pan-Africanism embodies the inalienable right of African peoples to self-determination and envisions the continent as an equal stakeholder in global affairs.
While acknowledging key achievements such as the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union (AU), Tesfaye noted that many foundational objectives of Pan-Africanism remain unrealized. Persistent challenges surrounding political cohesion, economic sovereignty, and cultural revival continue to demand urgent attention.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s unique role within the Pan-African narrative, he pointed to the symbolic significance of the 1896 Battle of Adwa — a landmark victory representing African resistance and self-assertion.
“Reinvigorating Pan-Africanism to effectively confront contemporary challenges while honoring historical legacies is imperative,” Tesfaye asserted.
He called for an African renaissance focused on intellectual emancipation and economic transformation, necessitating bold institutional reforms, strategic mobilization of indigenous resources, and a unified economic vision capable of addressing global disparities.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), he explained, exemplifies this spirit. More than an infrastructure project, the GERD stands as a testament to Africa’s capacity for self-reliant development and regional solidarity, challenging historical patterns of dependency.
Tesfaye further emphasized the importance of embedding Pan-African ideals into key institutions — including education systems and regional economic blocs — to foster cohesive progress, as reported by ENA.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Whip stressed that revitalizing Pan-Africanism requires thoughtful engagement with Africa’s rich diversity and a resolute commitment to collaborative actions that cultivate unity through shared values and collective endeavors.