Asian-African conference encourages African solutions to African affairs: expert

Bandung Conference in 1955 was a historic moment for Africa to find new partnership and new alliance with a new solution to deal with African affairs, said William Gumede on Tuesday in an interview with Xinhua News.

William is a professor of Public and Development Management in School of Governance in Witwatersrand University.

"The issues are still there. Being partners with other developing countries that hasn't changed, and even more important, " William said.

South African leaders have shown enthusiasm over the upcoming 60th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, and President Jacob Zuma himself will lead his country's delegation to the summit, scheduled to be held late this month in Jakarta and Bandung.

ANC leaders have clear memory of Bandung Conference in 1955 because of its great contribution in helping South Africans in the struggles against the apartheid regime, the professor said.

"ANC was recognized as terrorist at that time, after that meeting people around the world knew the story from our side, and ANC started getting supported by other countries."

"For Africa as a whole, that meeting put Africa anti-colonial fight on the world map, and help came after that meeting, which meant African was not fighting alone."

William told Xinhua that this year's meeting was important, because after 60 years there is still so much to be changed against the former colonial powers.

"Now, when some Africa countries trade with each other, they have to ship the goods to Europe first and then to other Africa countries."

He believed that the upcoming summit would enhance Africa-Asia status in the world, and South-South countries stay together could help change the global governance structure.

"African countries should continue to expand trade with other developing countries, that's how you discover a bigger world and great economical growth potential," the professor said. Endi