Resolution on Imperialism and Colonialism, Accra, December 5-13, 1958
CONFERENCE RESOLUTION ON IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM
(1) Whereas the great bulk of the African continent has been carved out arbitrarily to the
detriment of the indigenous African peoples by European Imperialists, namely: Britain,
France, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
(2) Whereas in this process of colonisation. two groups of colonial territories have
emerged, to wit:
(a) Those territories where indigenous Africans are dominated by foreigners who have
their seats of authority in foreign lands, for example, French West Africa, French
Equatorial Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Belgian Congo, Portuguese Guinea,
Basutoland, Swaziland and Bechuanaland.
(b) Those where indigenous Africans are dominated and oppressed by foreigners who have
settled permanently in Africa and who regard the position of Africa under their sway as
belonging more to them than to the Africa, e.g. Kenya, Union of South Africa, Algeria,
Rhodesia, Angola and Mozambique.
(3) Whereas world opinion unequivocally condemns oppression and subjugation of one race
by another in whatever shape or form.
(4) Whereas all African peoples everywhere strongly deplore the economic exploitation
of African peoples by imperialist countries thus reducing Africans to poverty in the midst
of plenty.
(5) Whereas all African peoples vehemently resent the militarisation of Africans and
the use of African soldiers in a nefarious global game against their brethren as in
Algeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroons, Ivory Coast, Rhodesia and in the Suez Canal
invasion.
(6) Whereas fundamental human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of association,
freedom of movement, freedom of worship, freedom to live a full and abundant life, as
approved by the All-African People's Conference on 13th December, 1958, are denied to
Africans through the activities of imperialists.
(7) Whereas denial of the franchise to Africans on the basis of race or sex has been
one of the principal instruments of colonial policy by imperialists and their agents, thus
making it feasible for a few white settlers to lord it over millions of indigenous
Africans as in the proposed Central African Federation, Kenya, Union of South Africa,
Algeria, Angola, Mozambique and the Cameroons.
(8) Whereas imperialists are now coordinating their activities by forming military and
economic pacts such as NATO, European Common Market, Free Trade Area, Organisation for
European Economic Co-operation, Common Organisation in Sahara for the purpose of
strengthening their imperialist activities in Africa and elsewhere,
Be it resolved and it is hereby resolved by; the All-African People's Conference
meeting in Accra 5th to 13th December, 1958, and comprising over 300 delegates
representing over 200 million Africans from all parts of Africa as follows
:1. That the All-African People's Conference vehemently condemns colonialism and
imperialism in whatever shape or form these evils are perpetuated.
2. That the political and economic exploitation of Africans by imperialist Europeans
should cease forthwith.
3. That the use of African manpower in the nefarious game of power politics by
imperialists should be a thing of the past.
4. That independent African States should pursue in their international policy
principles which will expedite and accelerate the independence and sovereignty of all
dependent and colonial African territories.
5. That fundamental human rights be extended to all men and women in Africa and that
the rights of indigenous Africans to the fullest use of their lands be respected and
preserved.
6. That universal adult franchise be extended to all persons in Africa regardless of
race or sex.
7. That independent African states ensure that fundamental human rights and universal
adult franchise are fully extended to everyone within their states as an example to
imperial nations who abuse and ignore the extension of those rights to Africans.
8. That a permanent secretariat of the All-African People's Conference be set up to
organise the All-African Conference on a firm basis.
9. That a human rights committee of the Conference be formed to examine complaints of
abuse of human rights in every part of Africa and to take appropriate steps to ensure the
enjoyment of the rights by everyone.
10. That the All-African People's Conference in Accra declares its full support to all
fighters for freedom in Africa, to all those who resort to peaceful means of non-violence
and civil disobedience, as well as to all those who are compelled to retaliate against
violence to attain national independence and freedom for the people. Where such
retaliation becomes necessary, the Conference condemns all legislations which consider
those who fight for their independence and freedom as ordinary criminals.
Source:
from the All-African People's Conference News Bulletin, Vol. I, No. 4 (Accra:
1959), pp. 1-2.
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