The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is capturing the attention of Pan-Africanists and anti-imperialists worldwide for its courageous, outspoken leadership. But those on the frontlines pushing the AES forward are not just the brilliant presidents Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goïta, and Abdourahamane Tiani, but also the dedicated people who assert their Pan-African demands.
In this video, a Pan-African leader from the civil society organisation Headquarter of the Revolution, Pape Diallo, explained the urgent need and popular demand for the AES to move from a confederation—or a bloc of three countries—to a federation, meaning a single Pan-African country with a shared government and citizenship. Diallo spoke about the long history of African resistance to slavery and colonialism and the fight to unify Africa to create a sovereign and self-determining superstate. Like many others, he sees the AES as a step toward that goal.
Video credit: Quartier Général de la Révolution (Facebook)
Diallo said the people will decide the success of the Alliance of Sahel States by its ability to undo what was done at the Berlin Conference. Do you agree with him?