61st Anniversary of Africa Day Celebrated in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa: Africa is observing the 61st anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union in Addis Ababa.

This 61st Anniversary of Africa Day is being underway in Ethiopia at the newly built Adwa Memorial Museum in the capital.

It was on this date in 1963, that 32 Heads of independent African States met in Addis Ababa Ethiopia along with leaders from African liberation movements to craft a way forward for Africa’s complete independence from imperialism, colonialism and apartheid.

Delegates from AU and ministry of foreign affairs, higher military officers, representatives of international organizations, military attaches and invited guests are attending the celebration day.

This year’s anniversary is commemorated under the theme: ‘Together Free, Prosperous and Strongly United Africa.’

Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on 25 May 1963 now the African Union, it was learned.

The event was organized by Fore
ign Relations and Military Cooperation Directorate at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense.

The meeting of the 32 Heads of independent African States in 1963 resulted in the creation of Africa’s first post-independence continental institution, the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The OAU was formed as a manifestation of the pan-African vision for an Africa that was united, free and in control of its own destiny and this was solemnized in the OAU Charter which was adopted on 25th May 1963 Africa Day.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency