After centuries of domination, oppression, enslavement and slave exploitation, Africa has woken up and became aware of its strength and the underlying force behind their strength ‘its dignity in unity’, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Faki Mahamat stated this on Saturday at the ongoing 56th anniversary of the birth of the Organization of African Unity (OAU),  at the Commission’s Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

According to him, despite the realization of African strengthen, there are still hurdles to overcome before Africa’s Independence and unity fully blossom.

He said the continent can achieve these when every African lives in peace , has free access to quality universal education, has full physical and mental health, to decent and remunerative job as well as good democratic governance in the strict respect of has fundamental rights, can Africa will boost of soaring to the top.

“It is the solemn affirmation of this imperative that we celebrate today. However, there are still many hurdles to overcome before Africa’s independence and unity fully blossom. This would only come about when every African lives in peace, has free access to quality universal education, to full physical and mental health, to decent and remunerative job, to social and cultural development, to good democratic governance in the strict respect of his fundamental rights”, he said.

The Chairperson further highlighted on the theme: “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa,”  stating that the theme has demonstrated the acuteness of African challenges and the urgent need to work together to ensure to all African citizens the inalienable right to live free, dignified and be productive.

“We celebrate this memorable day under the theme: "Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa". This theme in itself sufficiently demonstrates the acuteness of our challenges and the urgent and imperative need to work together to ensure to all African citizens the inalienable right to live free, dignified and be productive.

“It is needless to recall on this great day the primary duty of all African States to guarantee these fundamental and inalienable rights. The humanitarian organizations which I commend and thank for the assistance they continue to provide to the African refugees and returnees are called upon to redouble their efforts.

“ In this connection, the States concerned should, in dignity and freedom, create the necessary and appropriate conditions for all their citizens to return home. This occasion is also a timely opportunity to thank host countries for their commendable efforts and sacrifices in favour of refugees.

“At the same time, I would like to underscore the need for all States to safeguard the principles enshrined in the 1969 Convention on the Specific Aspects of African Refugees, including the principles of non-refoulement and burden sharing, not to mention the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons, known as the Kampala Convention.

“Our shared vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens is the irreplaceable tool of our influence on the international scene. This common vision is also the instrument to fast- track our integration through an African space of freedom, opportunities, progress and development. Our duty is to tackle head-on the paradox that makes this potentially rich continent the continent with the largest number of poor countries.

“It is intolerable that our young people, the engine of transformation and development, continue in successive waves to embark on perilous journeys across oceans and deserts, for want of projects that instill hope and lead to a positive future”, the speech reads in parts.

The Africa Day is an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963.

It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.

The event which had diginitaries from African continents and the world at large is going on in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

More details to follow…