Today 25th May 2026 we join all other Africans and good people of the global community to commemorate 63rd anniversary of the African Liberation Day (ALD). Formerly known as Africa Day or African Freedom Day, the African Liberation Day was set aside to honour the brave and courageous heroes and heroines of the African continent, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of Africa and generations of Africans.
This day is always celebrated annually to commemorate the founding of the former Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963. The OAU is now celebrated as the African Union (AU), and this event is commemorated across the globe as a celebration of resistance to neo-colonialism, imperialism, racism and reactionary actions that undermine sovereignty and unity of Africans.
As we commemorate this annual event, we deeply reflect on the common challenges we face in the context of revising the founding principles of African liberation in line with current global environmental reality. Time is moving and we must move with it. The world cannot afford to wait for us, so we need to get it right and start developing our resources to address the needs of Africans and to assess and plan the onward progress of the African revolution.
The idea of African Liberation Day was mooted out on 15 April 1958 and the first meeting to actualise this vision was conveyed in Accra-Ghana and attended by the independent states of Ghana, Sudan, Morocco, Ethiopia, Liberia, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. On May 25, 1963, thirty (30) African Heads of State met in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia, to create and formally inaugurate the former Organization of African Unity (OAU) and at this summit that Africa Day or African Freedom Day became African Liberation Day
Whether after 63 years of celebrations, Africa has achieved progress in areas such as real independence, sovereignty, economic freedom and improved environmental life; we leave that for Africans all-over the globe to make their judgement. Practical experience teaches us that in spite of the abundant minerals and rich natural resources the continent is endowed with, and with all the lofty policies and ideologies borrowed from outside and all the so-called donor funding and mushrooming NGOs movement across the continent-from Algeria to Zimbabwe-Africans today are more exposed to unprecedented indignities, dehumanisation and environmental pollution and degradation.
The truth is that Africans suffer from the same old conditions of racism, oppression, poverty, social injustice and debts. Instead, Africana have been made victims of proxy wars, terrorism and political violence in the continent. They suffer also under death-trapped economic policies, harsh living conditions, national leadership vacuum and isolation at global decisions.
On this historic day, we also remember in solidarity with our friends, brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and Latin America, the Middle east and other oppressed regions, who are still subjected to imperialist onslaught. Africa will not be free, until all those forces that are holding back the peace, development and prosperity of the continent are destroyed, and Africa will continue to be ridiculed or scorned to the international public.
Our theme for this year’s commemoration of African Liberation Day is: ‘AFRICA IS NOT A BACKYARD TO ANY FOREIGN POWERS’. The choice of this theme is not a mistake, but a total rejection of any attempts to borrow the US Monroe doctrine to influence Africa’s political landscape. Under the guise of human rights, France for instance, has been spuriously undermining African leaders, putting together small cliques and through the United Nations, now seeks to impose its political and strategic interests in the continent.
The latest has been the so-called Franco-Mexican Initiative, which itself is a package of ill-intentioned old and bad habits whereby France is seeking to interfere in and manipulate domestic affairs of other countries. In our view, any talk of reforms in the United Nations should be bordered on democratisation, equal representation and respect for international rule of law.
France cannot continue to kill and smear African leaders, to manipulate Africa-related issues to infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of African countries and to misuse international instruments to espouse politics, hegemony and bullying. This is our position and wants the global community to understand that Africa is no longer a backyard to any foreign powers.
Our concern and that of other good Africans is that France and its allies and surrogates seems to bereft of the truth about the rise of the new African, and are bent on manufacturing lies to demonise the authentic leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Niger and Madagascar, and by extend, to deliberately misrepresent the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). What truly concerns Africa’s adversaries is that international NGOs would be recruited and paid to justify their political concoctions with false reporting about human rights in countries that refused to bow. Unfortunately, these apostles of human rights cannot support reparations for Africa, for the crimes of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, genocidal wars, and economic terrorism committed against Africans. In our candid view, the manufactured lies and deceits to smear the AES for instance, are designed by powerful foreign adversaries who are hostile to peace, stability and progress in Africans.
Since Independence, the African continent has faced and continues to face challenges from hostile foreign forces at both State and non-State levels. Equally so, at the national level Africa has been engulfed in multiple traps, some of which continue to create havocs in most parts of Africa even after the fall of the great Berlin Wall in 1992. Any attempts to address some of these challenges always end to bloodbaths.
The situation in the Sahel region is one example of the many challenges Africa faces today. The Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger, including also Madagascar both are facing internal security challenges from three hostile fronts. The first is one of separatist movements and ethnic extremist groups that are spreading violence across the Sahel region.
The second is the spilling of the blood of innocent Africans and this also concerns the importing of the Libyan-styled terrorism campaign into the Sahel. These foreign terrorist outfits enjoy the backing of foreign powers and local collaborators to massacre innocent Africans. The third is equally vicious, where France and other powers seek to undermine the credibility and collective leadership of the AES. In Madagascar, the agenda is to create a situation to derail the smooth functioning of the state, incite hatreds and fabricate lies, through intimidation and blackmail.
We emphasise that terrorism and violence have not ceased in the Sahel region, while millions are displaced, maimed and killed by foreign terrorist groups and their local allies. One cannot understand why those foreign powers are so worried about the AES. They are only interested in looting Africa’s abundant mineral and rich natural resources. That is why, we, at NACI insist that Africa’s rights to permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council must precede any other agenda put before the United Nations.
The truth is that France and its allies want puppet leaders in Africa they can manipulate against African people, but are tormented with the wise leadership exhibited by African leaders like the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Niger, Madagascar and former Prime Minister of Senegal-Osman Sonko, to mention some. It is now left for Africans themselves, and not foreigners to decide whether they want to be governed by progressive, patriotic, self-reliant, dignified leadership or want to be governed by yes man, who only ts as puppet to manipulate and rob Africa for the benefit of the neo-colonialists.
On this historic day of 63rd anniversary of African Liberation Day, NACI also wants to make it abundantly clear that the new Africa we all strived for cannot afford the luxury of violating its own values. This begs the question why Africa should allow foreign military bases in its territory. Africa is not at war and poses no threats to others; it has sufficient forces and manpower to defend the independence and sovereignty of African countries without assistance from any military bases. In other words, there is no need for foreign military intervention in the domestic affairs of the African continent. What intention do they have for building foreign military bases on the continent if only it’s not a sinister agenda to create artificial barriers to peace, stability and development in Africa?
Africa is not a party and does not take side in the divided geopolitical confrontation. Africa does not espouse a foreign policy that threatens any foreign powers and has always condemned and rejected foreign intervention in whatever form or manifestation in Africa’s domestic matters. NACI demands the immediate removal of all unwanted foreign military bases out of Africa, with no condition attached.
To NACI, and to all Africans, foreign interference in Africa’s domestic matters is causing instability and uneasiness, and environmental challenges for the continent. It is time now for the United Nations to shoulder its responsibility by demanding the removal of all foreign military bases out of Africa, and also by condemning interference in the domestic affairs of African countries as a blatant violation of international law and infringement on the Principles and Charter of the United Nations.
NACI considers as an act of aggression and violation of territorial sovereignty for any foreign powers to make war in any parts of the African continent. It is even criminal or terrorism for any foreign powers to fight on the soil in Africa, be it direct or by proxies as it is happening in the Sahel region. NACI is appealing to all African leaders to not allow the continent to become a test site for ideology or weapons.
The new Africa we all strive for considers every member-states of the United Nations its friend, and for this, NACI is appealing to all African leaders to seek the cooperation of their counterparts in other parts of the world, for peace, security and developmental purposes. NACI welcomes all friends of Africa who are already in the continent to help develop our economies. We want them to come and compete with one another to help us change Africa’s current narrative, and not just to take resources away Terrorism and violence have not ceased in the Sahel region, while millions are displaced, maimed and killed by foreign terrorist groups and their local allies. If for instance Russia can help address Africa’s current security challenges in the Sahel, train African youths for development, bring technology to the continent, build infrastructures for sufficient energy supplies and China on the other side build roads, bridges, culverts and invest in the manufacturing industry, others could have done more.
That is our vision for the new Africa-improving the lives of Africans everywhere on the planet. We reject any ideological competition that divide or impoverishes Africans. What is happening in the Sahel today is nothing to write home about and it’s abundantly enough for Africans to learn and know the truth.
Over the years, development in Africa has been hampered by the degradation of the environment caused by activities of ill-thought-out multinational companies. The impact of climate change in Africa has far reaching consequences for our people, national economies and the environment. This action also threatens food security and community livelihoods across the continent.
On this day, and in solidarity with the Sahel region, NACI reaffirms the importance and relevance of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as the cornerstone of lasting peace, stability, security, friendship and solidarity amongst Africans in the Sahel. The AES advocates everlasting amity and cooperation amongst Africans in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
NACI reaffirms its commitment to defending and promoting peace and human rights, and advocates dialogue and cooperation amongst the Sahel countries, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the AES. The principles of the AES are built on mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality; territorial integrity and national identity of all nations; the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful AES member-states.
On this day of African Liberation Day, there is no expression of solidarity with Africa that is complete unless we ensure the removal of all foreign military bases and ending France’s hegemony in the continent. The forces of neo-colonialism have failed in Africa and will continue to fail in their wicked, racist, diabolic and spurious attempts.
For far too long, France has oppressed the African continent by committing genocide, heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity. The international community cannot look away when Africa is sinking abysmally because of foreign interference in the internal matters of the continent. Now is the time for us all to unite than ever to condemn and reject any attempts to recolonise Africa.
This is NACI’s message on the 63rd anniversary of African Liberation Day!
Sender: Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
President and Co-founder.
The New African Charter International (NACI)
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