Demeke Mekonnen Elected as First President of the Global Black Center in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA — Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, has been elected as the first President of the Council of the Global Black Center (GBC). The announcement was made during the council’s inaugural meeting in Addis Ababa, where its organizational constitution, consisting of 22 articles, was also endorsed.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia’s historical significance as a symbol of freedom and prosperity makes it a fitting host for the GBC. He emphasized the country’s role as the land of origin and expressed his dedication to operationalizing the center’s governing structure. Demeke highlighted the importance of preserving and restoring African heritage, noting the challenges posed by conflicts, neglect, and the lack of adequate digital technologies.

Education was identified as a crucial element for achieving the GBC’s objectives. Demeke pointed out the active involvement of high-level academicians in the center and called for the development of training programs that could benefit Africa widely. He stressed the need for educators to work towards a unified approach to teaching history, aiming to bridge gaps within and among African countries and the diaspora.

The president outlined his vision for the GBC to become a key platform for promoting black history, culture, heritage, and development. He proposed the organization of an annual conference in Ethiopia, bringing together scholars, continental representatives, heads of governments, international organizations, and other influential figures to support the center’s goals. Demeke anticipated that this annual gathering would feature panel discussions, debates, exhibitions, and artworks, establishing it as a significant legacy of the GBC.