The) Africas) and the) African(s): Debate on the State and the Nation

As part of the "Youth Meetings" program, Africa Without Borders organized a high-level debate devoted to the notions of State and nation, approached through the prism of African identity, the values of the continent and the transformations brought about by the contemporary era, in particular digitalization and its influence on ideologies such as pan-Africanism. This meeting was designed as a space for intellectual exchange and critical reflection, allowing young Africans to question the foundations of their belonging, in a global context marked by technological acceleration and the recomposition of identities. The session opened with a structuring introduction provided by the moderator, Ms. Ayaan Mohamed Abdi, who established the conceptual framework of the debate, defined the areas of discussion and ensured the smooth running of the exchanges. The participants then spoke around central and deliberately open questions: Who can define themselves as African? What are the constituent elements of African identity? Can this identity go beyond, complement or replace national identities? What impact does digitalization have on the construction of African identity? And, in the future, what form of identity will be most decisive for younger generations? The richness of the interventions made it possible to highlight the diversity of perceptions and experiences, while bringing out strong points of convergence. The discussions highlighted that African identity is not solely a matter of heritage or birth, but that it is built and strengthened through commitment, patriotism, the feeling of belonging and adherence to shared values. It thus appears as a dynamic whole, articulating cultural, national, social and continental identities. At the end of the discussions, one observation eme