Statement at the 2nd Congress of the Pan-African Writer's Association

"As one looks back at modern Africa reasserting itself, the contribution of the writer remains indelible. Whether it is through the fictional novel or the political treatise, the poem or the play, the film script or the journalist's report, the African writer was able to expose the tension arising from the encounter of colonialism with our indigenous cultures. They were able to underscore the importance of emancipating political consciousness as the sine-qua-non for the socio-economic and political liberation of society. Indeed, they were even able to articulate a clear vision for society. On the whole, the writer remained in step with Africa's agenda for much of the 20th century." - Dr. Salim, November 5, 1999