Story by Ian Zvoma, News Editor
THE International Conference on Crimes of Colonialism has commenced in Algiers, Algeria, with a call for Africans to take pride in their identity, culture, and values.
Addressing delegates on Sunday, Pan-African Parliament President Chief Fortune Charumbira lamented the erosion of African culture and values, emphasising that the continent cannot fully develop unless it stands firm on its heritage.
“Culture is the glue that binds us together. Without it, we are disunited and directionless. The deleterious impact of colonial education has brainwashed Africans to view everything Western as superior and everything African as inferior. As a result, Africans are more inclined to consume Western products while shunning those produced in Africa. This mindset must change if the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), intended to boost intra-African trade and continental self-sufficiency, is to achieve its noble objectives,” he said.
Chief Charumbira highlighted Zimbabwe as an example, noting that the country has adopted heritage-based education tailored to its unique culture and circumstances.
“There is a need to decolonise education to restore Africans’ confidence in themselves and their value systems. Participants must brace for a challenging battle for reparatory justice, as former colonisers remain unwilling to compensate Africa for the injustices of colonialism. To this day, Zimbabwe remains under sanctions for reclaiming land expropriated during British colonial rule. However, despite the challenges, Zimbabwe will not reverse its decision to reclaim the land and empower its people. Africa must move from rhetoric to action in the fight for reparatory justice; without unity, the struggle will be in vain.”
The International Conference on Crimes of Colonialism in Africa is hosted by the Government of Algeria in collaboration with the African Union Commission.
Running until 1 December, the conference brings together AU organs, ministers, historians, academics, representatives of the diaspora, and regional and international organisations to discuss the legacy of colonial domination and explore ways to redress historical injustices.
In line with the African Union Theme for 2025, “Justice for Africa and People of African Descent Through Reparations”, the conference seeks to examine the moral, legal, economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions of colonialism, its impact on Africa and the diaspora, and to identify concrete pathways to advance justice, reparations, and recognition.
