Story Archives - Toward Freedom

Pan Africanism in the Sahel Region

Dr. Gnaka Lagoke June 20, 2025 Dr. Gnaka Lagoke

Dr. Gnaka Lagoke

Burkina Faso Captain Ibrahim Traore, Symbol of the Global Pan-African Resistance: Keys to Understand the Phenomenon

Pan-Africanism, defined as the spirit of unity and solidarity of Africa and its peoples, has been claiming several victories. Whether through a popular uprising that brought officers to power as in Mali (2021), or by a military coup as in Burkina Faso (2022), or through a palace revolution as in Niger (2023), or by an election as in Senegal (2024), Pan-Africanism is in vogue and living a new life. It is a new golden age of Pan-Africanism. The leaders who represent that new wave are advocating and promoting African sovereignty, Pan-African preference in Africa’s trading with the outside world, and the imperative for Africa to diversify its economic and political partners. read more

Derailing the Engine of Liberty

bbytes February 13, 2025 bbytes

The Trump crusade to end birthright citizenship isn’t a new idea. But it would create a permanent caste of aliens. It’s a crystal clear idea: citizenship and equal protection under the law for everyone born or naturalized in the United States. Beyond that, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution also protects the rights of life, liberty, and property of all citizens.

Commentary – The Unfinished Business of the Pan African Congress

bbytes November 5, 2024 bbytes

The 9th Pan African Congress: postponed or cancelled?

Many of us at Toward Freedom were disappointed to learn that the long awaited 9th Pan- African Congress, to be held in Lome,Togo on October 29 to November 2, 2024 was postponed…or cancelled. Scant information has been available to clear the air. We are pleased to publish this backgrounder written by Siphiwe Baleka who has studied the history of Pan African Congresses and was closely involved in trying to work thru some of the knots that bedeviled the planning of this Congress. Siphiwe has been involved with many Pan African groups: the Republic of New Afrika (PGRNA), West Africa Region of the Pan African Federalist Movement (PAFM), NCOBRA to list just a few. You can reach him at: [email protected] read more

Host of What’s Going On? Sandy Baird from Burlington, VT is joined by guest Eric Agnero, commentator currently living in Burlington from Ivory Coast, to discuss the Niger Coup and ongoing events in Africa.

bbytes April 19, 2024 bbytes

As Towards Freedom works toward its final goal of seeing the 9th Pan African Congress come to fruition in November of 2024, look for updates and relevant events here.

Toward Freedom: Celebrating 71 Years of Global Reports From a Grassroots Perspective

Toward Freedom Editor November 4, 2023 Toward Freedom Editor

Toward Freedom released this volume of essays by past writers, editors and board members at an event celebrating its 71 years of publication during the Vermont Film Festival in Burlington, VT on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Click here to download the Toward Freedom Commemorative Book

Farewell

Toward Freedom Editor July 20, 2023 Toward Freedom Editor

Image from Toward Freedom’s 60th anniversary celebration in Burlington, VT

Dear TF readers and supporters –

In the aftermath of World War II, anti-colonial movements spread throughout the world giving rise to the non-aligned movement. At the end of 1952 Bill Lloyd started a newsletter to inform readers in the US about independence movements in Africa and the non-aligned movement in general.

Called Toward Freedom, Lloyd’s newsletter would evolve over the next 70 years into a print magazine and then a website with the mission to publish international reporting from a grassroots perspective and incisive analysis that exposed government and corporate abuses of power, while supporting movements for universal peace, justice, freedom, the environment, and human rights. read more