Cllr Adv. Shameemah Dollie Salie and Activist Uzair Mohammed alongside Russian and Angolan delegates, and former military commanders, gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence. This moment marked not only a celebration of Angola’s sovereignty, but also a critical space for deep political dialogue, reflection, and strategic discussion.
Our engagement centred on the urgent need for African unification in the face of ongoing Western imperialism. As history has shown, Africa has endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of Western powers—exploitation that continues today through economic manipulation, political interference, and the extraction of natural resources by countries such as the United States. True African liberation requires that we build a future where our continent is no longer dependent on Western trade, but stands collectively, economically and politically self- sufficient.
Angola’s own history is a testament to the strength of African resistance. After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, Angola fought one of the longest liberation struggles on the continent. Following independence in 1975, Angolan forces—supported by progressive international allies—stood firm against direct military aggression from the United States and apartheid South Africa, both of which attempted to destabilise the young nation and suppress its sovereignty for their own geopolitical gain. Yet Angola prevailed. Their victory remains one of the most significant blows against imperialism and apartheid in African history.
Today, as we honoured this legacy, we also recommitted ourselves to the ongoing struggle for a unified, self- determined Africa. The conversations held were essential, the questions critical, and the vision clear: an Africa free from Western domination, united in purpose, and empowered to control its own future.
