Pan-African Assembly in Accra Tackles Civic Space Challenges Across the Continent

Thursday 22 August 2024 - 16:45

In a bold move to address the mounting challenges facing civil society across Africa, the pan-African movement Africans Rising is set to host the All-African Movement Assembly (AAMA 2024) in Accra, Ghana. Scheduled for August 29-31, this landmark event will bring together over 400 in-person participants and 1,000 virtual attendees, creating a vibrant forum for dialogue and action.

The assembly comes at a critical juncture, as numerous African nations grapple with tightening restrictions on civil liberties, dissent, and activism. Recent years have witnessed a troubling trend of crackdowns, harassment, and even violence against activists, underscoring the urgent need for collective action.

Under the theme "Towards Pan-African Solidarity: United We Stand, Divided We Fall," AAMA 2024 aims to forge a united front against these encroachments on civic space. The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including Kumi Naidoo, Ambassador of Africans Rising and esteemed human rights advocate; Samia Nkrumah, President of the Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Center; polymath artist Pierre-Christophe Gam; and Hardi Yakubu, Coordinator of Africans Rising.

The timing of the assembly is particularly poignant, coinciding with a wave of protests sweeping across countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda. Citizens in these nations are voicing their demands for improved living conditions and respect for human dignity, further highlighting the pressing need for open civic spaces.

AAMA 2024 will not shy away from addressing the root causes of these challenges. Organizers point to persistent "systems of oppression and resource extraction" that continue to impact Africa's environment, economies, and civic spaces. In response, the assembly will explore transformative ideas, including the vision of a borderless Africa united under a single currency.

The event also aims to tackle broader issues affecting the continent, such as the ongoing struggle against modern-day slavery and racism. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, AAMA 2024 seeks to cultivate innovative solutions and foster a spirit of pan-African solidarity.

As civic spaces across Africa face unprecedented pressure, this gathering in Accra represents a crucial opportunity for activists, thought leaders, and citizens to unite in defense of fundamental freedoms. The outcomes of AAMA 2024 could have far-reaching implications for the future of civil society and democratic engagement across the continent.