German project reimagines 1884 Berlin Conference to address colonial legacy

In a poignant reflection on the legacy of colonialism, activists, artists, and scholars gathered in Berlin on Friday as part of the German cultural initiative Dekoloniale, marking 140 years since the historic Berlin Conference of 1884.

The event brought together a diverse group of experts from across Africa and its global diaspora to discuss the enduring impacts of the original conference, which reshaped the African continent through European colonization, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Held at the European Commission's office in Germany, near the former residence of Otto von Bismarck — the key architect of the 1884 conference — the event provided a platform for dialogue on the colonial legacies that continue to affect Africa today. The Berlin Conference, which lasted over 100 days, brought together European powers to negotiate territorial claims in Africa, resulting in the division of the continent into borders that persist to this day.

By the turn of the 20th century, European powers controlled more than 90% of Africa's land, driven by economic motives and disregarding the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic divisions that defined African societies for centuries. The conference not only redefined borders but also set the stage for the exploitation of Africa’s resources, labour, and land.

As the event unfolded, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a British Labour lawmaker of Ghanaian descent, emphasized the violence inherent in the conference's outcomes. "What happened here in Berlin was not just an act of territorial rearrangement, it was an act of violence, one that echoes through generations," Ribeiro-Addy said. "It wasn’t just about drawing borders; it was about power control, exploitation, and claiming resources."

Finnish-Nigerian author Minna Salami, another speaker at the event, lamented the profound consequences of the Berlin Conference, highlighting its role in perpetuating poverty, conflict, and corruption across the African continent.

Michaela Moua, the European Commission’s first coordinator on anti-racism, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of confronting the painful truths of colonial history. "Reckoning with the past is key to understanding racism," she said.

Some attendees called for reparations for the lasting effects of colonialism and slavery. One delegate's final statement urged European nations to "give back what you stole from us," echoing growing global calls for accountability.

While the issue of reparations is gaining momentum worldwide, it remains a divisive topic. Moua, however, clarified that the responsibility for reparations did not lie with the European Commission, but with individual European member states. She noted that it is up to those states to decide how to address the issue, a sentiment shared by those both for and against reparations. Proponents argue that the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to fuel racial inequality, while opponents contend that modern nations should not be held responsible for the actions of their colonial forebears.

Most former colonial powers have rejected reparations, but the conversation, now louder than ever, challenges the global community to reckon with its colonial past and its lingering effects on the present.

By Tamilla Hasanova