Africa Day celebrated with calls for common continental devt aspirations

Africa Day is observed annually on May 25 to celebrate the achievements of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the African Union (AU), from its creation on May 25, 1963.

A special celebration at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the OAU under the theme "Our Africa, Our Future."

While addressing the commemorative event, Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat emphasized the need to exert concerted efforts toward realizing the aspirations of the founding father of the OAU as well as the AU's current continental ambitions.

"Sixty years later, we celebrate the creative genius of the founding fathers who, in their Pan-Africanist spirit, laid the foundation for an Africa to be built," Faki said.

He said the celebration of the 60th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the role and contribution of the founders of the continental organization and many other Africans on the continent and in the diaspora who have contributed greatly to the political liberation of the continent, and equally, to the socioeconomic emancipation of Africa.

Faki stressed the need to fight the common continental challenges that are affecting the continent, such as corruption, inter-community conflicts, as well as recent waves of unconstitutional changes, among others.

"Despite the difficulties of all kinds, Africa remains characterized by its great capacity for resilience," Faki said.

Comorian President Azali Assoumani, who is also the current chairperson of the AU, echoed the sentiment as he called on Africans from all walks of life to join hands toward the betterment of Africa as well as the realization of common continental development aspirations.

He said the event, among other things, serves "to rejoice in our achievements and to draw lessons from our failures, to better envisage the future, and offer promising prospects to our dear people."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed the need to harness Africa's demographic dividend as well as rich natural resources so as to realize Africa's common development agenda.