Eighty years after the fifth Pan-African Congress met in Manchester, its call for Black unity and liberation continues to resonate. Held in October 1945 at the former town hall on Oxford Road, the congress was a pivotal moment in the fight for independence from colonial rule, bringing together 87 delegates from 50 organisations worldwide. The event, chaired by the African American intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois, included future leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, and Hastings Banda, who later led Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi respectively.
For decades, the congress was an under-recognised chapter in Manchester's radical history. Community leader Kath Locke campaigned for a commemorative plaque in the 1980s, and today a resurgence of interest is evident. Against a backdrop of increasing unity between African and Caribbean countries, and resurgent anti-Black sentiment, the congress's message of political and economic liberation is experiencing a revival. The See My World festival, led by artistic director Tunde Adekoya, has organised seminars, exhibitions, and performances to mark the anniversary.
The congress's legacy extends beyond the arts. In September 2024, the African Union and Caribbean nations announced a joint effort to seek reparations from European colonial powers, guided by pan-African ideals. Dr. Carla Barnett, Caricom secretary general, said the initiative was inspired by figures such as Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, and George Padmore. The original delegates also included Amy Ashwood Garvey, Len Johnson, and Alma La Badie, who represented Black Britain.
Dr. Shirin Hirsch, a historian at Manchester Metropolitan University and the People's History Museum, described the congress as 'electric,' with handmade posters calling for an end to oppression. The event helped shape the destiny of millions, and its spirit continues to inspire new generations to seek unity and betterment.
