African integration week: Guinea hosts event dedicated to pan-Africanism
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00:00 The audience is highly attentive here at Guinea's Kofi Annan University.
00:06 The discussion this morning is focused on the introduction of a new common West African
00:10 currency, the Eko, set to replace the CFA franc which is printed in France by 2027.
00:17 It's an important subject for many Pan-Africanists.
00:21 It's fundamental to note that Africans can no longer put up with monetary decisions about
00:25 our currency being made outside of Africa itself.
00:28 The amphitheatre is packed with researchers, members of the public and students.
00:33 This event specifically targets the country's youth.
00:37 Mamadou studies economics.
00:39 "To be a Pan-Africanist is to understand the issues and how they play out in a democracy.
00:45 I thought it was important to come and participate in order to further my knowledge."
00:51 Some 30 speakers will take to the stage to discuss Pan-Africanism over the course of
00:56 the week, across three universities in the capital.
01:00 At a time when more and more people claim to be Pan-Africanists, one of the organisers
01:04 said the concept itself needs to be more clearly defined.
01:09 "We reject the West.
01:12 It's as if Pan-Africanism has become a way for young people to rebel.
01:16 But Pan-Africanism is not about rejecting a community, a country or a part of the world.
01:21 It is important for young people to understand that it is about integration, and that integration
01:27 is not about rejection, but about bringing people together."
01:35 This event is streamed online for those wanting to follow the talks from outside of Guinea
01:39 itself.
01:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]