By: Goshu Melisew
Zemdina Abebe, Pan-Africanist and women's rights advocate, has emphasized the urgent need for Africa's youth to embody the spirit of Pan-Africanism as championed by past generations to address today's pressing challenges, including climate change, economic dependency, and conflict.
In an exclusive Interview with EBC, Zemdina sees Pan-Africanism not just as a political ideology, but as “a love language” a love for self, community, Black African identity, and African heritage.
She highlighted the importance of understanding the historical context of Pan-Africanism and its ongoing relevance, stating that despite Africa's sovereign nation-states, true independence remains elusive due to persisting systemic inequalities. According to Zemdina, "Pan-Africanism is a fight for the struggle of Black people, both on the continent and in the diaspora."
For Zemdina, the youth play a pivotal role in reigniting the Pan-African flame. She urged young Africans to recognize the power of their identity and understand the global systems perpetuating economic dependency and social injustices. "Young people must grasp how global systems are engineered to advocate effectively for Africa’s freedom, peace, and prosperity," she said.
She emphasized that effective advocacy and mobilization require meaningful opportunities for youth participation, moving beyond symbolic representation to genuine involvement in decision-making processes.
Zemdina praised the African Union's recent focus on reparations as a significant milestone in addressing historical injustices but stressed the need for the AU to become more people-centered. She envisions an AU that actively engages with social movements, amplifies women's voices, and fosters youth participation.
"Africa will only realize the Pan-African vision when women and young people are genuinely empowered and involved in shaping the continent's future," she asserted.
She also highlighted practical measures for fostering unity, such as scrapping visa requirements among African countries and adopting African languages in regional engagements. Cultural exchanges, she noted, can strengthen the bonds between African youth and provide platforms for meaningful political dialogue.
Empowering young Africans and women remains key to achieving self-determination and peace, Zemdina added.
"The future of Africa depends on meaningful engagement with its people at all levels, including grassroots communities, through a youth-driven and inclusive Pan-African movement that ensures peace, prosperity, and genuine independence for all Africans.", she further noted.