In Senegal on Oct 24, the World Anti-imperialist Platform, Pan african Unitary Dynamics (DUP) and Comité National Préparatoire (CNP) held a joint press conference to officially announce the upcoming 7th Anti-Imperialist Conference of the World Anti-imperialist Platform, scheduled for October 25-27. This event will be the first and largest of its kind in Africa.
At the podium were Lee Sang-hun, President of the People’s Democracy Party (Republic of Korea), Dimitrios Patelis, Coordinator of the Central Council of the Revolutionary Unification (Greece), Fodé Roland Diagne, Editor-in-Chief of Ferñent (Senegal), Augusta Epanya, General Coordinator of DUP, Raymond Ayivi, General Coordinator of CODITOGO (TOGO), Adama Coulibaly, Secretary-general of DUP, Amzat Boukari Yabara, responsible for international department of DUP, Marie-Josée AYI, New PowerGabon, Mattia Cavatorti, Member of International Working Group of CARC (Committees to Support the Resistance for Communism), Christopher J. Helali, International Secretary of the American Communist Party, and others.
Augusta Epanya, General Coordinator of DUP, who moderated this press conference, said, “I am very glad to see the anti-imperialist struggle in Senegal. It is a time to change, and I hope that this process will help the development of all the continent”, adding, “The only way to eliminate imperialism is to unite the strength of all organizations across Africa. The struggles in each region must be brought together as a unified anti-imperialist struggle.”
Lee Sang-hun, President of PDP, said, “October 14 marked the two-year anniversary of the establishment of the World Anti-imperialist Platform. The World Anti-imperialist Platform realized the need for a united world anti-imperialist struggle after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on February 22, 2022, and has been militantly active for the past two years with three goals: world anti-imperialist struggle, ideological warfare against opportunism, and strengthening the capacity of international communist movement.”
He went on to assess, “The 7th Anti-imperialist International Conference in Dakar is not only the largest ever, but also the first to be held in Africa. It is also of great political significance, as it will provide the direction for the world anti-imperialist forces to move forward at a time when World War 3 is in full swing.”
Finally, he affirmed, “Just as the victory of World War 2, an anti-fascist great war, led to the liberation of Africa in the 1960s, the victory of World War 3, an anti-imperialist great war, will usher in a new era of imperialist dismantlement, independence and liberation not only for the 1.3 billion people of Africa but for the people of the world. Through the united struggle of the people of the world, victory in World War 3 is inevitable, and it is not far off.”
Dimitrios Patelis, Coordinator of the Central Council of the Revolutionary Unification (Greece), emphasized, “Especially in Africa, the people’s support, and supporting each other under the spirit of internationalism are very important. This is more necessary in the current situation of escalating tensions related to the Third World War.”
He added that the anti-colonialist struggle, the anti-imperialist struggle, and the struggle for national independence and sovereignty are essential for the dignity of every person on Earth and the future of humanity. He defined the number one enemy of people worldwide as the imperialist powers led by the USA, which is a primary cause of war, while also mentioning the three main goals of the World Anti-imperialist Platform.
“Tomorrow, at 5:00 pm, we will be waiting for the people of Senegal at Douta Seck. It is time to remember the heroes. We remember Georges Ibrahim Abdallah in French prison and fight for the Palestinian people who are being massacred.”, on behalf of CNP, Fodé Roland Diagne, Editor-in-Chief of Ferñent (Senegal), said.
Adama Coulibaly, Secretary-General of DUP, stated, “There will be remarks from the African delegation and international delegation” and emphasized, “Our continent has been socially and environmentally devastated (by imperialism). We must unite and struggle against this. We must resist neo-colonialism and capitalist exploitation.”
The press conference ended with a round of applause, followed by a Q&A session with the journalists and audience.
A Senegalese newspaper asked, “Pan-Africanism is anti-imperialist struggle, but some people are repressing the people under the guise of Pan-Africanism. What are your thoughts on this, as there are aspects that benefit imperialism?”
Amzat Boukari Yabara, responsible for international department of DUP, said the topic of Pan-Africanism will be one of goals of the conference, and insisted that the concept of Pan-Africanism must be written correctly. He added, “True Pan-Africanism is a concept that must be approached practically, based on anti-imperialist ideas. I highly appreciate the remarks by PDP, which highlights anti-imperialism, and the analysis of the current situation by the World Anti-imperialist Platform.”
Raymond Ayivi, General Coordinator of CODITOGO (TOGO), spoke out against repression in Togo. “Many working people are imprisoned and even found murdered. The situation in Togo is hell right now.”, said Ayivi, whose family has exiled to Senegal. He argued that a genuine Pan-Africanism is needed for real human rights and democracy in a country where state violence is rampant.
The spokesperson of the PAIGC, a progressive party of Guinea-Bissau, spoke about the repression in Guinea-Bissau. <We are a party with about 140 members of parliament. The president of Guinea-Bissau and the government are staging a self-coup, challenging the people. They do not understand people’s sovereignty and democracy. We are grateful for all the solidarity for Amilcar Cabral, who liberated Guinea-Bissau.
The press conference was successfully held with the participation of more than 50 delegates and members of the World Anti-imperialist Platform, DUP, and CNP, as well as major broadcasters, newspapers and media from Dakar.
