Giving Africa Day Meaning

Published on 23rd May 2016

Africa Day, a commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is being celebrated in various parts of the world. On May 25, 1963, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This Africa Day should be a moment of reflection on pertinent issues facing the continent. Can the continent solve its own problems? Can it fund its own activities? Are Africans united and speaking in one voice? Have Africans finally forged an African Identity? Have the challenges that African nations pledged to address shortly after independence been addressed? Is Africa playing a meaningful role in the constellation of global nations?

If the answers are in the affirmative, then Africa Day is worth celebrating. If not, a lot needs to be done.


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