Presentation & Debate on New Wine in Old African Calabashes
29 July 2025 — Pan-African Parliament, Midrand, South Africa
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was the scene of an extraordinary intellectual and diplomatic event as H.E Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue Monono presented and debated his newest book, New Wine in Old African Calabashes. This marks the most pivotal pre-launch of the work, following earlier presentations at Yale University and Arusha.About the Book
Spanning 16 chapters across four parts, this publication encapsulates decades of institutional memory, offering a rare insider's perspective into the evolution of Africa's continental governance architecture. From the OAU's Central Organ to the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the Pan-African Parliament, the book navigates critical junctions in African history and policy.Core Themes Include
• The transformation of African institutions post-1963• African parliamentarians' roles in peace and governance
• Contemporary threats: cyber warfare, climate change, private militias
• From state-centric to people-centric Pan-Africanism
• A call to reclaim African epistemologies — the "African calabash"
Ambassador Monono's Vision
"The African condition has remained the same — whether under the OAU's Central Organ or the AU's PSC. Although the wine is new, the calabashes are old."
"This book is not just history — it's a future-facing blueprint to rethink how we respond to Africa's security and governance challenges."More than a historical account, the book is a strategic blueprint for a Pan-African future grounded in African realities and intellectual sovereignty.
Motivation and Purpose
• To preserve institutional memory of AU transformation• To honour pioneering architects like Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim
• To spark African-led policy and academic discourse
• To reinforce that Pan-African challenges need Pan-African solutions
What's Next?
Ambassador Monono proposed a bold agenda for the future:• Institutionalize PAP–PSC collaboration
• Establish joint working groups
• Rethink outdated peace frameworks
• Invest in Africa-rooted research and analysis
The presentation concluded with resounding applause from delegates — marking not just a book launch, but a continental moment of reflection and revival.