The 1945 Pan-African Congress: Introduction


1945 Pan-African Congress - George Padmore
George Padmore



  1. The complete and absolute independence for the Peoples of West Africa.
  2. The removal of British armed forces from Egypt.
  3. The granting of complete independence from Egyptian and British rule to the Sudan.
  4. The recognition of the demands of the indigenous peoples of Tunis, Algeria, Morocco and Libya from French and Italian rule.
  5. Democratic rights and self-government for the people of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Nyasaland, Somaliland and Zanzibar.
  6. The non-incorporation of Bechanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland in South Africa.
  7. A West Indian Federation founded upon internal self-government based on universal adult suffrage.
  8. The withdrawal of the British Military Administration from Ethiopian soil.
  9. The independence or at least self-government for all of all British, French and Italian colonies in Africa and the West Indies.

Unlike the four earlier Congresses, the fifth Congress involved people from the African Diaspora; not just Africans, but Afro-Caribbeans and Afro-Americans. The fifth Congress is widely regarded as the catalyst and launch pad for the political liberation of the African nations. By 1966 all but six African countries were independent nation-states. It therefore cannot be understated how important this event was to black people all over the world and what a source of inspiration it continues to provide.

At the end of the Second World War, this wasn’t just a turning point in Africa’s history, but in the European Empires also. It was a rejection of the imperial powers which had caused the Second World War and it represented the opportunity of a freer, fairer world for everybody regardless of so called race, nation, class, or creed etc.


Picture Gallery of key people and records relating to the 1945 pan African Congress (click on any image to view as large-size slideshow):