THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF INDEPENDENT AFRICAN STATES Accra, April 15-22, 1958
DECLARATION
We, the African States assembled here in Accra, in this our first Conference,
conscious of our responsibilities to humanity and especially to the peoples of
Africa, and desiring to assert our African personality on the side of peace, hereby
proclaim and solemnly reaffirm our unswerving loyalty to the Charter of the
United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration
of the Asian-African Conference held at Bandung.
We further assert and proclaim the unity among ourselves and our solidarity
with the dependent peoples of Africa as well as our friendship with all nations.
We resolve to preserve the unity of purpose and action in international affairs
which we have forged among ourselves in this historic Conference; to safeguard
our hard-won independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; and to
preserve among ourselves the fundamental unity of outlook on foreign policy so
that a distinctive African Personality will play its part in co-operation with other
peace-loving nations to further the cause of peace.
We pledge ourselves to apply all our endeavours to avoid being committed to
any action which might entangle our countries to the detriment of our interests
and freedom; to recognise the right of the African peoples to independence and
self-determination. and to take appropriate steps to hasten the realisation of this
right; to affirm the right of the Algerian people to independence and self-
determination and to exert all possible effort to hasten the realisation of their
independence; to uproot forever the evil of racial discrimination in all its forms
wherever it may be found; to persuade the Great Powers to discontinue the
production and testing of nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons; and to reduce
conventional weapons.
Furthermore, mindful of the urgent need to raise the living standards of our
peoples by developing to the fullest possible advantage the great and varied
resources of our lands, We hereby pledge ourselves to coordinate our economic
planning through a joint economic effort and study the economic potentialities,
the technical possibilities and related problems existing in our respective States;
to promote co-ordinated industrial planning either through our own individual
efforts and/or through co-operation with Specialised Agencies of the United
Nations; to take measures to increase trade among our countries by improving
communications between our respective countries; and to encourage the
investment of foreign capital and skills provided they do not compromise the
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our States.
Desirous of mobilising the human resources of our respective countriesin furtherance of our social and cultural aspirations, We will endeavour to
promote and facilitate the exchange of teachers, professors, students, exhibitions,
educational, cultural and scientific material which will improve cultural relations
between the African States and inculcate greater knowledge amongst us through
such efforts as joint youth festivals, sporting events, etc.; We will encourage and
strengthen studies of African culture, history and geography in the institutions of
learning in the African States; and We will take all measures in our respective
countries to ensure that such studies are correctly orientated.
We have charged our Permanent Representatives at the United Nations to be the
permanent machinery for co-ordinating all matters of common concern to our
States; for examining and making recommendations on concrete practical steps
for implementing our decisions; and for preparing the grounds for future
Conferences.
Faithful to the obligations and responsibilities which history has thrown upon us
as the vanguard of the complete emancipation of Africa, we do hereby affirm our
dedication to the causes which we have proclaimed.
1. Exchange of Views on Foreign Policy
The Conference of Independent African States,
Having made the widest exchange of views on all aspects of foreign policy,
Having achieved a unanimity on fundamental aims and principles,
Desiring to pursue a common foreign policy with a view to safeguarding the
hard-won independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Participating
States,
Deploring the division of the greater part of the world into two antagonistic
blocs,
1. Affirms the following fundamental principles:
A. Unswerving loyalty to and support of the Charter of the United Nations and
respect for decisions of the United Nations;
B. Adherence to the principles enunciated at the Bandung Conference, namely:
(i) Respect for the fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles
of the Charter of the United Nations.
(ii) Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
(iii) Recognition of the equality of all races and the equality of all nations, large
and small.
(iv) Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another
country.
(v) Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively in
conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
(vi) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the
particular interests of any of the big Powers. Abstention by any country from
exerting pressure on other countries.
(vii) Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
(viii) Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means such as
negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement, as well as other
peaceful means of the parties’ own choice in conformity with the Charter of the
United Nations.
(ix) Promotion of mutual interest and co-operation.
(x) Respect for justice and international obligations.
2. Affirms its conviction that all Participating Governments shall avoid being
committed to any action which might entangle them to the detriment of their
interest and freedom;
3. Believes that as long as the fundamental unity of outlook on foreign policy is
preserved, the Independent African States will be able to assert a distinctive
African Personality which will speak with a concerted voice in the cause of Peace
in co-operation with other peace-loving nations at the United Nations and other
international forums.
2. The Future of the Dependent Territories in Africa
The Conference of Independent African States,
Recognising that the existence of colonialism in any shape or form is a threat to
the security and independence of the African States and to world peace,
Considering that the problems and the future of dependent territories in Africa
are not the exclusive concern of the Colonial Powers but the responsibility of all
members of the United Nations and in particular of the Independent African
States,
Condemning categorically all colonial systems still enforced in our Continent and
which impose arbitrary rule and repression on the people of Africa,
Convinced that a definite date should be set for the attainment of independence
by each of the Colonial Territories in accordance with the will of the people of the
territories and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Calls upon the Administering Powers to respect the Charter of the
United Nations in this regard, and to take rapid steps to implement
the provisions of the Charter and the political aspirations of the
people, namely self-determination and independence, according to
the will of the people;
2. Calls upon the Administering Powers to refrain from repression
and arbitrary rule in these territories and to respect all human rightsas provided for in the Charter of the United Nations and the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
3. Calls upon the Administering Powers to bring to an end immediately every form of discrimination in these territories;
4. Recommends that all Participating Governments should give all possible assistance to the dependent peoples in their struggle to achieve self-determination and independence;
5. Recommends that the Independent African States assembled here should offer facilities for training and educating peoples of the dependent territories;
6. Decides that the 15th April of every year be celebrated as Africa Freedom Day.
3. The Question of Algeria
The Conference of Independent African States,
Deeply concerned by the continuance of war in Algeria and the
denial by France to the Algerian people of the right of independence
and self-determination despite various United Nations resolutions
and appeals urging a peaceful settlement, notably the offer of good
offices made by the Moroccan and Tunisian Heads of State,
Considering that the present situation in Algeria constitutes a threat to international peace and the security of Africa in particular,
1. Recognises the right of the Algerian people to independence and self-determination;
2. Deplores the grave extent of hostilities and bloodshed resulting from the continuance of the war in Algeria;
3. Urges France
(a) to recognise the right of the people of Algeria to independence and self-determination;
(b) to put an end to the hostilities and to withdraw all her troops from Algeria;
(c) to enter into immediate peaceful negotiation with the Algerian Liberation Front with a view to reaching a final and just settlement;
4. Appeals to all peace-loving nations to exercise pressure on France
to adopt a policy which is in conformity with the principles of the
Charter of the United Nations;
5. Appeals to the friends and allies of France to refrain from helping
France, whether directly or indirectly, in her military operations in
Algeria;
6. Affirms, its determination to make every possible effort to help the
Algerian people towards the attainment of independence;
7. Recommends that the representatives of the Independent African
States at the United Nations be instructed by their various
Governments to consult each other constantly and acquaint members
of the United Nations with true states of affairs in Algeria and solicit
their support for a just and peaceful settlement and to recommend to
the Independent African States measures which may from time to
time become necessary to be taken and in particular find ways and
means whereby the Independent African States may enlighten worldopinion on the Algerian situation including the appointment of a
mission as soon as possible to tour the capitals of the world to enlist
world support of Governments.
4. Racialism
The Conference of Independent African States,
Considering that the practice of racial discrimination and segregation
is evil and inhuman,
Deeply convinced that racialism is a negation of the basic principle of
human rights and dignity to the extent where it is becoming an
element of such explosiveness which is spreading its poisonous
influence more and more widely in some parts of Africa that it may
well engulf our Continent in violence and bloodshed,
Noting with abhorrence the recent statement made by the head of the
South African Government on his re-election to the effect that he will
pursue a more relentless policy of discrimination and persecution of
the coloured people in South Africa,
1. Condemns the practice of racial discrimination and segregation in
all its aspects all over the world, especially in the Union of South
Africa, in the Central African Federation, Kenya and in other parts of
Africa;
2. Appeals to the religious bodies and spiritual leaders of the world
to support all efforts directed towards the eradication of racialism
and segregation;
3. Calls upon all members of the United Nations and all peoples of
the world to associate themselves with the Resolutions passed by the
United Nations and the Bandung Conference condemning this
inhuman practice;
4. Calls upon all members of the United Nations to intensify their
efforts to combat and eradicate this degrading form of injustice;
5. Recommends that all Participating Governments should take
vigorous measures to eradicate where they arise vestiges of racial
discrimination in their respective countries.
5. Steps to be taken to Safeguard the Independence, Sovereignty
and the Territorial Integrity of the Independent African States
The Conference of Independent African States,
Determined to safeguard the hard-won independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of each of its members,
Believing that the getting together and consulting among
Independent African States, as in the present Conference of Accra, is
essential for the effectiveness of their contribution to world peace,
1. Declares the determination of all Participating Governments
(a) to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity
of one another,
(b) to co-operate with one another to safeguard their independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity,
(c) to co-operate in their economic, technical and scientific
developments and in raising the standard of living in their respective
peoples,
(d) to resort to direct negotiations to settle differences among
themselves and if necessary to conciliation or mediation by other
African Independent States;
2 Condemns all forms of outside interference directed against the
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
Independent African States.
6. Togoland under French Administration
The Conference of Independent African States,
Having examined the Memorandum on the situation in Togoland
under French Administration submitted by the Juvento Party, and
the statement made by the Representative of this Party during the
hearing granted to him in the Conference,
Bearing in mind the objectives of the International Trusteeship
System and the objectives proclaimed by the Bandung Conference,
Having regard to the extremely important responsibilities laid upon
the Legislative Assembly to be elected on 27th April, 1958, as to the
future of the territory by paragraphs 7 and 8 of the operative part of
the United Nations Resolution of 29th November, 1957,
1. Expresses grave concern regarding the present electoral laws and
system of the Territory;
2. Strongly urges that the Administering Authority will co-operate
fully with the United Nations Commissioner in order to ensure fair
and democratic elections in the Territory.
7. Cameroons Under French Administration
The Conference of Independent African States,
Having examined the Memorandum on the situation in the
Cameroons under French Administration submitted by the Union of
the Population of Cameroons, and the statement made by the
Representative of this Party during the hearing granted to him in the
Conference,
Bearing in mind the objectives of the International Trusteeship
System and the objectives proclaimed by the Bandung Conference,
1 Condemns the use of military force against the unarmed people in
the Trust Territory of the Cameroons under French Administration as
contrary to the spirit of the United Nations;
2. Calls upon the Administering Powers to comply with the Charter
of the United Nations and satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the
people concerned by opening direct negotiations with their
representatives;
3. Appeals to the United Nations to intensify its efforts in helping the
people of the Cameroons to achieve their legitimate political
aspirations.
8. Examination of Ways and Means of Promoting Economic Co-
operation between the African States, based on the Exchange of
Technical, Scientific and Educational Information, with Special
Regard to Industrial Planning and Agricultural Development
The Conference of Independent African States,
Having discussed the economic and social conditions in their
respective countries,
Considering that these countries have great and various economic
resources, mineral, agriculture and animal,
Considering that there are now possibilities for commercial exchange
between Independent African States and that these possibilities
should be greatly encouraged,
Considering that steps should be taken to bring about economic
emancipation in these countries,
Considering that hitherto non-African forces have arbitrarily divided
the African Continent into economic regions, and that the Conference
does not recognise this division,
Considering further that Africa could be developed as an economic
unit,
Noting that the incorporation of dependent African territories in the
economic systems of colonial Powers is not in the best interests of
these peoples,
Recommends to the Participating African States:
1. The establishment within each Independent African State of an
Economic Research Committee to survey the economic conditions
and to study the economic and technical problems within the State;
2. The establishment of a Joint Economic Research Commission
(a) to co-ordinate information and exchange of views on economic
and technical matters of the various Independent African States;
(b) to find measures whereby trade among African countries could be
developed and encouraged;
(c) to make proper and detailed investigation as to the possibilities of
co-ordinating the economic planning in each State towards the
achievement of an all-African economic co-operation;
(d) to find ways and means for common industrial planning within
the African States and the possibilities of making available mineral
resources and other African products among the African States;
(e) to lay down proposals by which Independent African States can
receive foreign capital and employ foreign experts, and to encourage
co-operation with other countries in such manner as not to affect
their independence, sovereignty and unity
3. To take steps in order to collect and exchange knowledge and
technological information among themselves;
4. To establish joint African enterprises;
5. To hold economic conferences and African exhibitions;
6. To strengthen their co-operation with the Specialised Agencies of
the United Nations and especially with the newly proposed
Economic Commission for Africa;
7. To make joint efforts as far as practicable to construct means of
communications between African States;
8. To investigate the possibility of eventual establishing of an African
common market;
9. To provide facilities for exchange of labour and labour information
and to encourage co-operation among national trade union organisa-
tions;
10. To strengthen the co-operation with the International Labour
Organisation;
11. To take joint action for the prevention of diseases among human
beings, in agriculture and in animal husbandry, and to act against the
ravages of locusts;
12. To ensure the establishment of equitable social and economic
policies which will provide national prosperity and social security for
all citizens.
9. On the Cultural level, the formulation of concrete Proposals for the Exchange of Visiting Missions between the various Countries, both Government and non-Government, which may lead to first- hand Knowledge of one Country to another, and to a mutual appreciation of their respective Cultures
The Conference of Independent African States,
Having made the widest exchange of views on all aspects of the
cultures of all Participating Countries,
Desiring to promote the widest dissemination of the cultures of all
Participating Countries,
A. Upholds the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and
reaffirms the principles approved by the Bandung Conference of
April, 1955, concerning Cultural co-operation, and accordingly;
1. States that colonialism is prejudicial to national culture and as such
hinders any possible cultural co-operation;
2. Calls for the development of Cultural Co-operation among African
States in the larger context of world co-operation and in the spirit of
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation;
B. Recommends to all Participating Members;
1. To promote and facilitate the exchange of teachers and professors;
2. To encourage the establishment of cultural centres in each other's
country on the approval of the country in which such a centre may be
established and in conformity with its laws, regulations and
practices;
3. To encourage and facilitate the exchange of their students, each
providing a certain number of scholarships for students from other
African countries;
4. To facilitate the exchange of exhibitions, educational, scientific and
cultural material including books, periodicals, bulletins, audio visual
aids and other cultural and educational material;
5. To ensure that syllabi of history and geography applied in the
schools and educational institutions of each include such material as
may help to give each student an accurate information of the way of
life and culture in the other African countries;
6. To spare no efforts to revise history and geography text books and
syllabi used in their schools with the view to removing any incorrect
information due to colonial or other foreign influences;
7. To co-ordinate their school systems at all levels and to recognise
the certificates, diplomas and degrees awarded by their educational
institutions and universities of equivalent status;
8. To encourage reciprocal visits by their different organisations of
youths, teachers, Press, labour, women, artists, sports, etc., granting
them all possible facilities;
9. To strive to include principal African languages in the curriculum
of the secondary school and colleges with the view to facilitating the
cultural co-operation envisaged;
10. To hold inter-African periodic and ad hoc conferences for their
educators, scientists, men of letters, journalists, etc., with the view to
discussing common problems and to extend all possible facilities for
such purposes;
11. To conclude mutual cultural agreements among them for the
promotion of cultural co-operation;
12. To encourage in their universities and institutes of higher learning
research on African culture and civilization, creating fellowships for
this purpose;
13. To encourage the establishment of African publishing centres and
to make concerted efforts to publish an African journal edited and
contributed to by Africans introducing Africa’s culture, civilisation
and development to the world and to the various African countries;
14. To set up an annual prize for works which promote closer
solidarity among the African States, the ideas of liberty, friendship
and peace and which disseminate knowledge about African
civilisation and culture;
15. To encourage the translation of books dealing with African
culture and civilisation into their principal languages, e.g. creating
fellowships for this purpose;
16. To establish an annual inter-African sports meeting and an annual
youth festival;
17. To set up, each in its respective country, a local organisation
whose functions will be the promotion and development of cultural
co-operation among African countries.
10. Consideration of the Problem of International Peace and Con-
formity with the Charter of the United Nations and the
Reaffirmation of the Principles of the Bandung Conference
The Conference of Independent African States,
Alarmed at the prospect of nuclear and thermo-nuclear energy being
used by the Great Powers for military purposes,
Desiring to strengthen their contribution to world peace and security,
Realising that world peace is a prerequisite for the progress and
prosperity of all peoples,
Taking into account the fact that no African nation is at present
represented in the international bodies concerned with the problems
of disarmament,
1. Calls upon the Great Powers to discontinue the production of
nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons and to suspend all such tests
not only in the interest of world peace but as a symbol of their
avowed devotion to the rights of man;
2. Views with grave alarm and strongly condemns all atomic tests in
any part of the world and in particular the intention to carry out such
tests in the Sahara;
3. Appeals to the Great Powers to use atomic, nuclear and thermo-
nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes;
4. Affirms the view that the reduction of conventional armaments is
essential in the interest of international peace and security and
appeals to the Great Powers to make every possible effort to reach a
settlement of this important matter;
5. Condemns the policy of using the sale of arms as a means of
exerting pressure on Governments and interfering in the internal
affairs of other countries;
6. Urges the United Nations to ensure that the African nations are
represented equitably on all international bodies concerned with the
problems of disarmament;
7. Considers that meeting and consultation on international affairs
should not be limited to the big Powers;
8. Expresses its deep concern over the non-compliance with United
Nations resolutions, calls upon the Member States to respect such
resolutions, and urges a just solution of the outstanding international
problems;
9. Expresses its deep concern over the question of Palestine which is a
disturbing factor of World Peace and Security, and urges a just
solution of the Palestine question;
10. Expresses its deep concern over the South-West African and
similar questions which are disturbing factors of World Peace and
Security, and urges a just solution to them.
11. The Setting up of a Permanent Machinery after the Conference
The Conference of Independent African States,
Firmly convinced that a machinery for consultation and co-operation
is essential,
1. Decides to constitute the Permanent Representatives of the
Participating Governments at the United Nations as the informal
permanent machinery,
(a) for co-ordinating all matters of common concern to the African
States,
(b) for examining and making recommendations on concrete practical
steps which may be taken to implement the decisions of this and
similar future conferences, and
(c) for making preparatory arrangements for future conferences of
Independent African States;
2. Agrees that meetings of Foreign Ministers, other Ministers or
experts be convened from time to time as and when necessary to
study and deal with particular problems of common concern to the
African States;
3. Agrees that the Conference of the Independent African States
should be held at least once every two years;
4. Agrees that the next Conference shall be held within the next two years and accepts the kind invitation of the Government of Ethiopia to hold the next Conference in Addis Ababa.