Fourth Congress of the Association of African Historians

Over 150 pertinent scholars from within and outside Africa have gathered here in Addis Ababa in the 4th Congress of the Association of African Historians (AAH) which was held from May 22 to 24, 2007.

While addressing the Congress, Foreign Minster Seyoum Mesfin said African historians are expected to play major role in the development of clarity on the issues related to Pan-Africanist movement. The 4th Congress of the Association of African Historians (AHA), was held on the theme: “Society, State and Identity in African History”. 

Seyoum called on African historians to contribute to clarify what it said were various debatable issues including the nature of the integration underpinning the African Union, the goal of the anticipated Union Government, the issues of identity including multiple identities as well as the functions of African states and societies.  

"African historians have major obligation to contribute towards the development of greater clarity on these issues so that the project of the African Union could be made to succeed with realism but with the necessary commitment to the Pan-Africanist ideal," he said. 

The African Union project, which is referred to as the Grand Debate, is the exclusive agenda to be deliberated at length at the AU Summit due to be held in July in Accra, Ghana, he indicated.  

“It is unavoidable to tackle the issue of the state and its function at this juncture in African history ..., and of where the balance should be stuck in terms of the imperative of African integration in such a way that the interest of the vast majority of the people of Africa is promoted,” he said. 

Chairperson of African Union Commission, Prof. Alfa Oumar Konaré said the venue and the time of the Congress has great implication in African history, as Ethiopia, which never stops to support Africa, is preparing to celebrating its millennium.  

AAU President, Prof. Andreas Eshete also said the congress would enable participants to sort the good and ill influence of powerful ideas on Africa’s historical self-image on which Western philosophy of history has often cast doubt. 

FSS Executive Director and Chairman of the National Organizing Committee, Prof. Bahru Zewde said the scientific session of the congress would validate the crucial importance of the discipline of history to help participants understand the centrality of identity in the African past and present. 

“We hope that the Association will come up with a viable strategy to resolve the problem of its sustainability and continuity so that it will play its legitimate role as Pan-African organization in our continent’s quest for development,” said the historian.

The Congress is hosted by Forum for Social Studies (FSS) in collaboration with Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the Association of African Historians, and with the support of the African Union (AU). 

Over 150 pertinent scholars from within and outside Africa and resident ambassadors attended the three-day Congress. Guests representing governments, international organizations and locally based Civil Society Organizations have also participated in the meeting.

Its venue, the Conference Hall of the African Union, the meeting takes up the theme: "Society, State and Identity in African History". The theme recognizes the contemporary salience and historical depth of the issue of identity.

Guests representing governments, international organizations and locally based Civil Society Organizations will also attend the conference, organized by the Forum for Social Studies and the Department of History and Heritage Management of the Addis Ababa University.

"It hopes to marshal the expertise and knowledge of African historians and historians of Africa to examining the issue from a comparative historical perspective," Chairman of the National Organizing Committee Prof. Bahru Zewde said in a media alert.

"It is a privilege and honour for Ethiopia to organize such a high-level conference on a timely and pertinent issue," says Prof. Bahru.

"It is hoped that the papers and discussions that will follow will enable a deeper appreciation and understanding of the complex issue of identity and provide a better way of addressing the opportunities and challenges it creates," he said.

Extract from ENA