Africa Day gives the continent an opportunity to ensure that the spirit that the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) had in 1963 is not lost, Dr Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has said. He noted this during a virtual conference held early Monday, May 25, to celebrate Africa Day which also provided a platform to reflect on the continents achievements since the founding of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) which later transformed into the African Union (AU). Africa is commemorating the establishment, on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the OAU. The Union is exactly 57 years now. Biruta said: That spirit that led to the indomitable and irresistible surge of our people for political independence should be manifested today in addressing the current challenges, which still negatively impact on the development and integration of our continent. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across the continent, the Minister noted, it is important that we strengthen our collaboration and harmonize our responses at the continental level to win this fight. Silencing the guns This year’s theme for the AU is: “Silencing the guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development.” The theme, Biruta said, is indeed relevant given the need to end and prevent conflicts in Africa, especially in the current context of the COVID19 pandemic which is having a serious toll on African populations and economies. The liberation struggle that continues today is aimed at dealing with the challenge of poverty and integration of our continent, which cannot be realized without dealing with and ending conflicts in Africa. Security and development, he said, are inextricably linked. Biruta also noted that the progress in the socio economic development of African countries is imperative to prevent the emergence and recurrence of conflicts. According to him, there is experience in Africa that points to the fact that the absence of favourable conditions for socio-economic development generates more than often situations conducive to instability and insecurity. Similarly, he pointed out, there are some conflicts that are steered by negative ideologies that could hamper the development of the continent. Some of them include terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region or in Somalia but also terrorism perpetuated by negative forces in Eastern DRC who are linked to the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Africa must work collectively to address these issues if our socio-economic liberation endeavours are to be realized, Biruta said. Starting April 7, Rwanda is still within its 100 days of remembering the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Minister noted that the 1994 Genocide was one of the Continent’s biggest failure on its liberation course which cost the life of more than one million people. It is in this context and based on our tragic past that Rwanda is determined to take part in peace support operations on our continent and beyond, to protect civilians and be part of continental endeavours to silencing the guns. Ending and preventing conflicts should continue to be at the heart of what we do together in Africa for integration to be realized. As the continent moves towards the start of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he added, it is imperative to provide an environment of peace and stability for it to succeed. In a related declaration, Amb. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, noted that the continent is constantly plagued, not without anguish, by many questions. He said: Has Africa become the continent of freedom, peace, prosperity, and success that our Founding Fathers dreamt of? Are Africans united, interdependent and thriving? Has Africa gained a place commensurate with its immense potential and legitimate ambition in the international arena? The scorecard of the Continent’s half a century of independence and freedom leaves one in doubt, he noted. In spite of its huge economic potential, and its rich, young and dynamic human capital, Faki said, most African States have difficulties in ensuring the welfare of their populations. Key sectors such as education, health and security are largely dependent on foreign aid. Communitarianism and tribalism have become more marked due to multiparty systems and democratic principles that have oftentimes been perverted, Faki said. Ranging from open crises, caused by terrorism and inter-tribal or inter-religious conflicts to post-electoral crises, Africa is constantly beset, here and there, by scenes of violence, fragility and uncertainty over the future. As Chairperson of the African Union Commission, he said, one of whose key commitments is to silence the guns on the Continent, I am deeply touched by the sight of the current events in Libya, one of the founding members of the OAU, and the principal initiator and proponent of the African Union. The tragedy being played out in this country is of profound concern to us all. No-one is blameless in the failure, neither is any segment of the international community, which has a great responsibility in the persistence or even escalation of the conflict.
