By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Pan-African Coalition Sierra Leone (PAC-SL) on Saturday, May 24, 2025, commemorated Africa Liberation Day 2025 with a renewed call for mass organization, unity, and shared progress across the continent.
Speaking on behalf of PAC-SL, Ambassador Mohamed “Lyrics” Bangura, spokesperson for the coalition, delivered a powerful declaration reflecting on Africa’s historic struggles while urging bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme: “Revolutionary Pan-Africanism: Mass Organization for African Unity.”
PAC-SL is made up of several organizations including: Pan-African Union Sierra Leone, Pan-Africano Uhuru Movement, Culture Radio Negus Nagas Complex, Black Star African Network (BSANI) and Project 1808 Koinadugu University
Participants at the event included youth, students, workers, women, community-based organizations, artists, individuals, and cultural groups from across the country.
Amb. Bangura affirmed that Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past. The continent continues to sacrifice and strive toward freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. Africa is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.
He highlighted Africa’s vast potential its youthful and growing population, arable land, mineral wealth, and renewable energy capacitynoting that Africa is not only the continent of the future but the engine of global transformation.
Amb. Bangura also praised the dynamism of African youth and women, who are leading innovation and community transformation across the continent.
Dr. Alhaji N’jai, Principal of Koinadugu College, issued a resounding call to action, urging all Africans to reaffirm their shared values and take rightful ownership of their future on the global stage.
“Pan-Africanism was forged through the dreams and determination of our people. It is our duty to safeguard our resources and prioritize value addition through transformative initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics.”
He called for the development of strong institutions, democratic governance, and economic integration, along with investments in critical infrastructure roads, energy, and industry.
Chief Foday Mansaray, representing Black Star African Network (BSANI), echoed these sentiments and urged unity, justice, and strategic action to address the lingering effects of slavery, colonialism, and contemporary challenges such as political instability and dependency on external actors.
The event was held at the Ebenezer Millennium Hall in Freetown, drawing a wide range of stakeholders and speakers, including women leaders, artists, and grassroots activists.
In his closing remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion issued a final call to action:
“Let us reaffirm our shared values and take rightful ownership of our future. Pan-Africanism was not only born from resistance but from strategic foresight. Let us honor that legacy with bold and united action.”
As Africa Liberation Day 2025 was marked across the continent and throughout the diaspora, the Pan-African Coalition Sierra Leone called on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, pursue justice and unity with courage, and shape the continent’s future with pride and confidence.
Chairman Malik urged African leaders, civil society, youth, and the diaspora to come together in pursuit of these goals, making Africa Liberation Day 2025 a turning point in the continent’s journey toward unity and development.
Speakers throughout the day emphasized the urgent need for reparations, justice, and collective continental action to secure a better future for all Africans and people of African descent.