Professor Degila, you organised the Institute’s participation in the Congress. What did it mean for you to be at the historic event, as well as for Institute students?
Professor Degila: Attending the 9th Pan-African Congress was answering the call of duty in a historical moment where Africa is not anymore a blind spot of the international system. My journey to Lomé was not just a professional engagement, it was a unique opportunity to join a long political and intellectual struggle which reached a critical juncture. African voice is now audible on the international scene, and Pan-Africanism remains an alive doctrine, debated, and sometimes contested. For our students, it was a unique opportunity to sit in the same rooms as political leaders, diplomats, thinkers, civil society representatives to see how ideas about reform of multilateral institutions, sovereignty or African agency are actually negotiated in practice. Retrospectively, the Congress helped me to redesign my spring course "Africa in Contemporary International Relations. Building Peace in A Pluriversal World".
How is youth contributing to the renewal of Pan-Africanism, even as it faces major challenges?
Professor Degila: I was particularly impressed by the vibrant presence of youth at the Congress. They were creative forces, very committed to questioning, challenging, and reframing what Pan-Africanism should mean today. What I actually found fascinating is that, with their diverse epistemes, visions and perspectives, they perpetuated the very idea of a "pluralist Pan-Africanism", as it was since the origins. From digital platforms, social movements to applied research, they linked abstract political ideas to concrete proposals related to innovative jobs, political accountability, security or local solutions to address growing challenges. In a difficult and volatile international context, they are pushing Pan-Africanism to become less about rhetoric and more about concrete and impactful change, rooted in realities of their generation in Africa, in the diaspora, the Caribbean and beyond.
Hafssa, Cindy, James, and Claudel — what was it like to participate in this historic congress as students? What types of events did you get to attend and participate in? What were the highlights?
Hafssa Kouskous: Participating in the 9th Pan-African Congress as a doctoral researcher was a deeply formative experience, both intellectually and professionally. Being in Lomé meant engaging Pan-Africanism not only as an object of academic inquiry, but as a living political project shaped through debate and collective reflection. During the Congress, I took part in commissions on the reform of multilateral institutions and Africa’s role within them, as well as on African and Pan-African Studies, the decolonisation of knowledge, and the promotion of Pan-Africanism. Particularly stimulating discussions moved beyond general calls for decolonisation to more concrete questions: Africa’s position within global governance, the place of African and diasporic scholarship in university curricula, the strengthening of Pan-African research networks, and the need for sustainable institutional spaces for African and Pan-African Studies.
James Mumo Nyumu : Participating in the historic Congress was a surreal and deeply humbling experience. As a recent graduate, selected by the African Union and Government of Togo as one of 20 youth representatives from across the continent, I was honoured to attend a wide range of panels and commissions, bringing the voice and perspective of the youth. The most powerful moments for me were witnessing a new generation boldly speak up and question the status quo. Seeing young people speak without fear, despite a long history of being labeled hysterical for speaking up or complicit for staying silent, was incredibly inspiring. Being part of that energy, courage, and collective demand for change was unforgettable. My hope is that this spirit of youth engagement and fearless advocacy does not end with the Pan-African Congress, but continues to shape Africa’s future.
Cindy Batchy-Tom: Participating in the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé as a recent graduate was a powerful experience It felt like stepping into a living space of vivid ideas, revisiting history, and planning for the future all at once. Being surrounded by political leaders, scholars, and especially the African young people from across the continent and the diaspora made me realise how rare and valuable this kind of intergenerational and much needed dialogue really is. Overall, the Congress and the experience in Aného made me feel empowered as a student and more conscious of my role in shaping more inclusive global systems.
Claudel Simo: From my own perspective, participating in the Congress a defining intellectual and civic experience. I took part as a 2024 graduate of the Geneva Graduate Institute and as a young professional currently working in International Geneva. Being present alongside H.E. Faure Gnassingbé, other African Heads of State and Government, and leading figures of contemporary Pan-African thought such as Professor Franklin Nyamsi gave the Congress a strong sense of historical weight and political relevance. Through the Congress, I intervened to stress that Africa’s ability to speak with a strong, credible voice in global governance depends first on its capacity to reform itself internally. I argued for a renewed African sovereignty articulated around four interlinked dimensions: political, economic and monetary, security, and cultural sovereignty. These exchanges were rich, sometimes intense, and intellectually stimulating, and they reinforced my conviction that youth perspectives — grounded in both academic training and professional exposure — have a real contribution to make to continental debates. Overall, this experience was both intellectually formative and personally affirming. It strengthened my commitment to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s transformation and its positioning within a reformed multilateral system.
How do you see the future of Pan-Africanism in the coming years?
Hafssa Kouskous: Pan-Africanism today is at a turning point. It is no longer only a historical or ideological project, but increasingly a practical framework for thinking about economic integration, political coordination, and Africa’s place in a rapidly shifting global order, all while being being reshaped by a new generation of scholars, activists, and digital publics who are challenging inherited narratives and insisting on more inclusive ways of thinking about Africa and its diasporas. In the coming years, its future will depend on whether it can move from symbolic unity to concrete forms of cooperation — in areas such as education, research, mobility, and collective bargaining power in global institutions.
James Mumo Nyumu : The future of Pan-Africanism must be grounded in relevance, accountability and action, shifting towards economic emancipation and justice, institutional reform and meaningful inclusion. Pan-Africanism can no longer exist solely as an ideological aspiration. Rather, it must translate into policies and structures that improve the lived experiences of African people and depend on the active leadership of young people. This new phase of Pan-Africanism must also confront global power imbalances by strengthening Africa’s collective voice within multilateral institutions and advancing intra-African solidarity through tangible cooperation. If Pan-Africanism is to endure, it must be bold, unapologetic, people-driven and uncompromising in its pursuit for justice, dignity and shared prosperity.
Cindy Batchy-Tom: Beyond political discourse, the strength of Pan-Africanism will lie in how it translates into concrete initiatives in areas such as health, education, food security, and institutional reform, actively shaped by the efforts of its young people. What I witnessed in Lomé, especially through civil society engagement, showed me that Pan-Africanism is most powerful when it connects vision with everyday realities. In the coming years, I wish that it will continue evolving as a dynamic force capable of strengthening Africa’s collective voice while remaining attentive to local needs and social impact.
Claudel Simo: From my perspective, the future of Pan-Africanism will be decisive and transformative, but only if it evolves from a powerful ideal into a structured, action-oriented project. It must deliver concrete political, economic, and institutional outcomes for African populations, resting on a renewed understanding of sovereignty and a valorisation of youth leadership. I believe Pan-Africanism will increasingly position Africa as a reformist force within multilateralism, not a passive recipient of global decisions. A united, internally coherent Africa can influence the ongoing reform of international institutions and norms, but only if it speaks with one voice grounded in internal credibility.