Source: newsthemegh.com
The African continent is commemorating the 60th anniversaries of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union, which succeeded it, today, May 25. On this date in 1963, leaders from the African liberation movements and 32 heads of independent African states gathered in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, to devise a plan for the continent’s complete freedom from imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid.
The Organization of African Unity (OAU), Africa’s first post-independence continental entity, was born as a result of the meeting. The OAU was established as a manifestation of the Pan-African dream of a free, united, and self-governing Africa, which was formally enshrined in the OAU Charter that was adopted on May 25, 1963, on #AfricaDay.
The 60th anniversary celebration is an opportunity to honor the founding members of the continental organization as well as the many other Africans on the continent and in the diaspora who have made significant contributions to both the political and socioeconomic liberation of Africa.
It provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, know-how, and successful past strategies while also motivating one another to embrace the AU’s goal and advance the creation of the “Africa We Want” as outlined in Agenda 2063.
The African Union should take this opportunity to consider the spirit of Pan-Africanism, which unites the past, the present, and the ambitions for the future of the continent.
The programme of today, May 25th will begin at 10am East African time, with invited participants gathering at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. The continent will be able to watch the proceedings at https://livestream.com/accounts/2466140/events/10865910.
The agenda includes opening remarks from H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the Union (AU) for 2023, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission (AUC), H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; a session to honor the OAU founders;
Representatives from AU Member States, the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), the African Union Commission, AU Organs, and AU specialized agencies, as well as invited guests, media representatives, staff members of the AU and their families, women’s and youth representatives, civil society organizations, development partners, UN agencies, and diaspora representatives, will attend the commemorative event.
The African Union is undertaking a digital social media campaign on its websites, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #OurAfricaOurFuture.