ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivered a powerful message to youth from Africa and Malaysia, urging them to carry forward the spirit of Bandung and the struggle against oppression in today’s global order.
Reflecting on the historical discourse of colonised nations, Anwar revisited the phrase L’exploitation de l’homme par l’homme “Exploitation of man by men” which he said continues to shape structures of global injustice.
He noted that colonisation was not merely about economic plunder but also about psychological domination, leaving scars that burden generations with humiliation and isolation.
Anwar cited Caribbean thinkers and psychologists who have long warned that colonisation permeates the conscience of societies, creating legacies of inequality.
Yet, he reminded the audience that history also records moments of collective courage, with the 1955 Bandung Conference standing as a landmark of awakening.
At Bandung, Asian and African nations stood as equals, rejecting colonial and imperialist domination. The conference affirmed the right of formerly oppressed nations to determine their own futures, free from external power blocs. It was, Anwar said, the beginning of Global South solidarity, born from shared suffering and resilience.
Turning to contemporary challenges, Anwar warned of new forms of economic conquest, information manipulation, and great power competition.
He invoked the calls of Frantz Fanon, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Nelson Mandela, stressing that their vision remains relevant today.
“The spirit of anti-oppression must live on in our policies, diplomacy and moral resilience,” he declared.
He emphasised that the responsibility of today’s generation is to ensure the Global South is no longer a victim of repackaged colonial structures, but instead becomes an active actor shaping the world narrative with dignity, humanity, and love.
Anwar’s remarks underscored Malaysia’s commitment to values-driven diplomacy under the MADANI framework, aligning with Ethiopia’s Medemer philosophy of collective reform.
His engagement with youth highlighted the importance of empowering future leaders to carry forward the ideals of solidarity, justice, and independence.
The speech, delivered during his official visit to Addis Ababa, reinforced Malaysia’s broader vision of building bridges between Asia and Africa, rooted in shared historical struggles and aspirations for a fairer global order.
