By Ritah Atukwatse,
KAMPALA
In a historic show of continental solidarity, young African leaders, scholars, and activists gathered in Kampala on November 6–7, 2025, and unanimously adopted the Kampala Declaration on Pan-Africanism and Morocco’s Territorial Integrity, reaffirming Africa’s commitment to unity, sovereignty, and resistance against neo-colonial fragmentation.
The declaration was adopted at a public lecture held at Forest Cottages Hotel, Naguru, organized by the FDC Youth League in partnership with Morocco’s Istiqlal Youth Organization represented by Mohcine Drissi El Bouzaidi and Nouhaila El Kalkouly, under the theme “Pan-Africanism and Morocco’s Territorial Integrity.”
The gathering, attended by youth leaders, university students, journalists, and opinion shapers from across the continent, symbolized a new wave of Pan-African consciousness driven by young voices determined to defend Africa’s sovereignty and tell their own stories.
Participants affirmed that the Moroccan Sahara is an integral and inalienable part of the Kingdom of Morocco, historically, legally, and politically established through centuries of continuous sovereignty, allegiance of tribes, and international treaties predating colonial interference. They further condemned all external forces and separatist movements attempting to destabilize Africa, particularly the Polisario Front, whose actions they described as a direct threat to African stability and unity.
Delegates declared that any attempt to carve artificial entities from sovereign African states constitutes an assault on Pan-Africanism and must be collectively resisted. The document calls upon African states, the African Union, and regional bodies to officially recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in all international forums, and cease diplomatic, financial, or political support to separatist agendas.
Francis Adepo, National Chairperson of the FDC Youth League, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in shaping Africa’s destiny. “Education without engagement is incomplete. The classroom builds knowledge, but it is participation that builds your character and leadership,” he said.
He urged African students to use universities as platforms for dialogue, truth-telling, and civic action. “Our destiny is not in the hands of foreign powers—it is in our own hands. From Kampala, we send a clear message to the world: Africa’s unity and sovereignty are non-negotiable,” he added.
The declaration further praised Morocco’s investments in infrastructure, education, renewable energy, and economic empowerment in the Sahara, calling it a model for African-led development and self-reliance. It affirmed that the Morocco-proposed Autonomy Initiative under Moroccan sovereignty remains “the only credible, realistic, and lasting solution” to the Western Sahara issue, transforming the region into a hub of sustainable development and a gateway between Africa and the Atlantic.
The youth leaders vowed to mobilize across campuses, communities, and digital platforms to counter misinformation and promote the truth about Morocco’s historical and legal rights.
The delegates hailed Kampala as a symbol of resistance to division, recalling Uganda’s historic role in liberation struggles. “Just as Uganda stood firm against division, so must Africa stand with Morocco,” read part of the declaration. The document stressed that youth are the guardians of African unity and that education, engagement, and solidarity are key to safeguarding the continent from neo-colonial balkanization.
The gathering concluded with an inspiring call to action: “Let this mark the birth of a new Pan-African youth movement, one that educates, defends, and transforms our continent in solidarity, truth, and shared destiny. May the dream of a united Africa live on in our hearts forever. We stand with Morocco. We stand with Pan-Africanism. We stand for Africa.”
