African Liberation Day
African Liberation Day (ALD) is an annual observance celebrated on May 25, marking the date in 1963 when the Charter of the Organization of African Unity was signed in Ethiopia. This day originated from a summit of thirty-one African heads of state, with a primary goal of liberating African people from European colonialism and white supremacy. ALD serves as a platform for individuals and organizations across the African continent and the diaspora to unite in their shared struggles against oppression, exploitation, and racism. It emphasizes the importance of solidarity among African nations and encourages a dialogue focused on peaceful solutions to common challenges. The day is sponsored by groups like the All African People's Revolutionary Party and aims to revive and strengthen liberation movements across Africa. Participants reflect on their shared history and contemporary issues, fostering a sense of community and resilience among Africans worldwide. Overall, ALD promotes advocacy for fundamental human rights and aims to inspire action towards a more equitable future for all African people.
On this Page
Subject Terms
African Liberation Day
In 1963, thirty-one African heads of state convened in Ethiopia for the Summit Conference of the Independent African States, with the overall goal of freeing African people from the yoke of European domination and white supremacy. On May 25, 1963, the Charter of the Organization of African Unity was signed, and it was decided to celebrate African Liberation Day (ALD) every year on May 25. Sponsored by the All African People’s Revolutionary Party, ALD has led to the concerted action of the member states of the Organization of African Unity to pool financial aid to revive, strengthen, and intensify liberation movements throughout Africa. As much as possible, the goal is to end exploitation and oppression of Africans at home and abroad by finding peaceful solutions through deliberations and frank exchange of views among the nations that are involved.
ALD has become an institution throughout the African world, being a day when all African people rally for unity and denounce racism, capitalism, and Zionism. On ALD, African people focus on what they share—their common past, set of problems, and future—as they pause to think about the plight of their African brothers who are under foreign rule and who are seeking to win their freedom and fundamental human rights.
Bibliography
Ahluwalia, Pal. Politics And Post-Colonial Theory: African Inflections. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print.
Davidson, Basil. Modern Africa: A Social and Political History. New York: Routledge, 2014. Print.
James, Cyril Lionel Robert, and Robin Kelley. A History Of Pan-African Revolt. Oakland: PM, 2012. Print.
Martin, Guy. African Political Thought. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Print.
Nugent, Paul. Africa Since Independence. 2nd ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Print.