The African Indigenous Council (AIGC) on December 29, 2025, hosted a virtual press conference on the Eswatini Traditional Leadership Summit held September 5–8, 2025, at Esibayeni Lodge.
The AIGC is an organisation committed to Ubuntu for peace, unity and development through promoting human dignity, the sovereignty of African states; and the well-being of Africans including the Afro-descendants in the diaspora. Therefore the AIGC seeks to create platforms for dialogue and intercultural exchange, fostering solidarity amongst members and their communities.
AIGC will establish mechanisms for ongoing consultations to enhance cooperation between traditional authorities and communities, focusing on local development and improved living conditions for all. In its organisational website, the AIGC transparently declares that in its history it experienced significant issues with regards to rushed scheduling and poor financial management. This was specifically during February 14 to 15, 2020 Extraordinary Summit of African Sovereigns and Traditional Leaders that took place in Addis Ababa. However it did result in the formation of Organising Commission of the Federation of Association of Traditional and Customary Authorities in Africa (COFAA); which was later renamed the AIGC.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF PRESS STATEMENT
The opening statement was by the AIGC President His Majesty King Robinson Tanyi, who welcomed participants and extended New Year wishes.
His Majesty clarified how the African Indigenous Governance Council is a non-profit, non-religious, board-led organisation, which is registered under the Ethiopian law. King Tanyi emphasized how ongoing research confirms that African societies still place trust in traditional governance systems than in democratic structures.
Moreover, traditional leadership plays a critical role in conflict prevention, inter-tribal dialogue and cultural preservation. Hence the AIGC’s mission is to mainstream the leadership role of royals and traditional rulers in Africa’s governance structures. This is evident in the Eswatini Declaration intended for submission to the African Union Heads of State in February 2026.
Furthermore the AIGC is committed to global repatriation crusade to restore African dignity.
His Majesty concluded by emphasizing unity, purpose and the need for Africa to reclaim its narrative. King Dr. Robinson Tanyi is a lawyer, banker, administrator, general manager, councillor, traditional ruler, forestry consultant and natural resources and trade specialist.
His Majesty holds a doctorate in management, masters in banking and finance; master’s in public law and DEUG in law and economics.
King Tanyi is a traditional leader of TINTO-MBU Community in Manyu division in Cameroon, founding member of the Pan-African Council of Traditional and Customary Authorities since 2015. His Majesty King Tanyi has numerous credentials that affirm his credibility as the president of AIGC, who can lead it to its vision of Ubuntu for peace, unity and development in Africa and its diaspora.
PRESS CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
The Eswatini Conference official report was presented by Ambassador Nambuka who highlighted the success of this conference; which was attended by 80 traditional leaders, civil society actors and diaspora representatives.
These delegates came from Africa and the African Union’s 6th region, the African Diaspora; moreover this conference was hosted under the patronage of His Majesty King Mswati III.
Conference delegates had working groups to refine the draft declaration leading to the final declaration, now entrusted to King Mswati III for delivery to the African Union. Ambassador Nambuka emphasised that the declaration remains confidential until it is presented to the African Union.
His recommendations on the conference report was the compilation of a full list of participants, submission of speeches to the Secretariat, adding the conference photos and follow-up meeting via Zoom.
Advocate Zwelethu Madasa as chair of the steering committee presented the strategic direction outlining on the post-Eswatini summit. This steering committee was established by the AIGC President King Tanyi to prepare for the 2026 Eswatini Conference on Traditional Leadership.
This committee proposes the creation of a Pan-African Parliament of Indigenous Leaders.
The rationale for this parliament being that liberal democracy has failed to deliver unity, prosperity and true representation in Africa. Indicative of how multi-party systems have divided communities, empowered elites and enabled foreign corporate capture.
This required the restoration of indigenous governance systems which are inclusive, conciliatory, culturally aligned with African identity. Moreover the proposed parliament will promote Afro-centric governance, ensuring sovereignty over African resources and provide a platform for continental unity among traditional leadership in Africa and Diaspora.
PRESS CONFERENCE PERSPECTIVES
In concluding the strategic direction, Advocate Madasa noted that global liberal order is in crisis, creating an opportunity for Africa to assert its indigenous governance systems.
Ambassador Dr Brigadier General Wallace Williams from the African Diaspora delivered a passionate intervention that advocated for Africacy, that is, Africans doing things for themselves, while calling for the abandonment of colonial terminology such as ‘democracy’ in favour of Ubuntu-based governance systems.
Ambassador Williams further proposed for African Development Goals (ADG) to replace Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. He praised the Sahel model (AES) as an example for African self-determination while emphasising the need for African narratives and institutions; moreover African unity and African-led development.
In concluding this Diaspora perspective affirmed its commitment to the African Indigenous Governance Council’s mission.
During the Question and Answer section, as State of African Diaspora Ambassador and founder of the Indigenous Knowledge Hub, I raised the question in support of the strategic direction presented by advocate: how will the AIGC transform the mind-sets of policymakers who safeguard Western democratic systems?
Advocate Madasa’s response was that the draft constitution of the Indigenous Parliament includes a Technical Committee of Pan-African Scholars who would conduct research, produce accurate historical knowledge, and educate youth and policymakers as mind-set transformation requires education.
In addition Ambassador Nambuka follow-up response: AIGC will use adult education methodologies to engage policymakers, and training models on indigenous governance principles will be developed.
The next question was from Prince David Mword from South Africa: how will the AIGC ensure that all rightful traditional leaders including those not recognised by their governments are included?
Prince David Mword’s question on eligibility and political interference got a response from Ambassador Williams: Eswatini’s support will provide political cover for traditional leaders as the Kingdom of Eswatini will help elevate the resolution at the African Union.
Advocate Madasa response to this question was: an accreditation committee will be established, the process will begin with universally recognised leaders, expanded to historically marginalised leaders.
The research will also verify historical legitimacy and to accomplish this, a non-profit organisation will be established in South Africa for resource mobilisation.
The AIGC President response: the eligibility process must be strategic and non-confrontational; AIGC will not provoke governments but build legitimacy quietly with wisdom, patience, and African diplomacy will guide the process.
The last question was from Prince Dr. Peter Zwide Khumalo from Zimbabwe on the need for an action framework: how will the AIGC ensure accountability, consultation and grassroots participation?
Ambassador Nambuka response: a scientific knowledge-based internal mechanism is being developed. AIGC will model itself on the Sahel’s disciplined approach and accountability structures will be embedded from inception.
After the AIGC press conference I appreciated all my indigenous governance research during my thesis and the energy spent on advocacy on this column. Most significantly, this press conference re-energised my thoughts on the strategic approach of the Akusiko Kwami Kwebantfu second edition.
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