We noted with concern the fact that these colonial obstacles still haunt independent Africa and continue to block the mind of the continent. We identified a profound incongruity in colonial languages speaking for the continent. At the start of a new century and millennium, Africa must firmly reject this incongruity and affirm a new beginning by returning to its languages and heritage. The vitality and equality of African languages must be recognized as a basis for the future empowerment of African peoples. The diversity of African languages reflects the rich cultural heritage of Africa and must be used as an instrument of African unity.
All African children have the unalienable right to attend school and learn in their mother tongues.
Every effort should be made to develop African languages at all levels of education. Promoting research on African languages is vital for their development, while the advancement of African research and documentation will be best served by the use of African languages. The effective and rapid development of science and technology in Africa depends on the use of African languages and modern technology must be used for the development of African languages. Democracy is essential for the equal development of African languages and African languages are vital for the development of democracy based on equality and social justice. African languages, like all languages, contain gender bias.