NAM Ministerial Declaration on the Centenary Year of the ANC as a Liberation Movement

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement congratulate the people of South Africa and the African National Congress, the oldest liberation movement in Africa, on its Centenary Anniversary and notes the celebrations and activities taking place throughout the year in this regard.

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement acknowledge that the African National Congress throughout its 100 years of existence has embodied the principles of the Movement and has, since its formation, remained at the forefront of the struggle against apartheid, colonialism and oppression.

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement, recalling that the African National Congress participated in the Bandung Conference of 1955, emphasize that the solidarity of the Movement with the people of South Africa and the African National Congress, contributed to ending the tyranny of apartheid, racial discrimination and oppression.

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement recognize that the struggle against racial discrimination, oppression, occupation, and the struggle for the right to self-determination, freedom, democracy, justice and the attainment of human rights continues and that others should draw inspiration from the African National Congress’s Centenary Anniversary and its ideals to build non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and free societies.

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement recall that South Africa, after long having been at the core of the Movement’s efforts to uphold the cherished principles of freedom, justice and equity, took its rightful place as a full member of the Movement in 1994.  It was also a fitting tribute when the Movement entrusted its leadership during the period 1998 to 2003 to the democratically elected Government of President Nelson Mandela.

The Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement encourage the people of South Africa, Africa and the world to continue their solidarity with other oppressed peoples and those under occupation in their struggle for self-determination, democracy, freedom, justice and human rights.