Without these African towns, the Pan-African dream would never have been born

Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba speaks at the opening of the All-African Conference in Leopoldville, August 25, 1960 Photo: Marxist.org

Leopoldville (present-day Kinshasa)

In August 1960, Leopoldville hosted another All-African People’s Conference to accelerate the fight for independent Africa. In  a speech by Patrice Lumumba, the meeting was an indication of commitment and unity of African countries in their fight against colonialism and neo-colonialism

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We have gathered here in order that together we may defend Africa, our patrimony. In reply to the actions of the imperialist states, for whom Belgium is only an instrument, we must unite the resistance front of the free and fighting nations of Africa. We must oppose the enemies of freedom with a coalition of free men. Our common destiny is now being decided here in the Congo.