President of Republic, AU Chairman, Addresses Message on Africa Day 2024
On 25 May, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic and Chairman of the African Union (AU), sent a message to mark the commemoration of Africa Day, which coincides with 25 May each year.
In this important message, the President of the Republic, AU Chairman, indicated that this year, our celebration places particular emphasis on youth and education, central themes of our 2063 agenda, emphasizing that our youth is our greater wealth. It is the youth, he said, who will carry the future of our continent. Also, he added, investing in education means ensuring that every young African has the skills and opportunities necessary to contribute to the development of our continent. We should strengthen our education systems, promote innovation and research, and create employment opportunities for our youth, as he put it.
He also noted, moreover, that food sovereignty is another essential pillar. We must work to ensure that every African has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. This requires support for agriculture, innovation, and resilience in the face of climate crises, he said.
On another level, he called on everyone to join forces and talents to build the Africa of tomorrow. An Africa with modern infrastructure, a dynamic and inclusive economy, and a just and equitable society. An Africa where every young person, woman, and citizen can realize their full potential.
Here is the full text of this important message:
“- Dear Africans, dear Africans,
– Sisters and Brothers, here and in the diaspora,
On this 25 May, Africa Day, commemorating the birth of our continental organization, I send you my best wishes for lasting peace, shared prosperity, and dazzling success on the path to progress.
This significant event is an opportunity to pay tribute to the founding fathers whose vision continues to fuel reflection on our common destiny and drive our actions to give substance to our collective hope. By highlighting the principles of solidarity, unity, and integration, they have shown us the right path, that of hope.
In particular, they showed a strong correlation between the challenges that concern us: peace, stability, security, democracy, sovereignty, cooperation, integration, and development.
In this case, putting these issues into perspective and addressing them will allow us, together, to build “the Africa we want”, the one that the pioneers of Pan-Africanism, our double source of reference and inspiration.
61 years ago, these pioneers laid down the fundamentals of this shared ideal which must, more than ever, serve us as a compass in a world in crisis and rapid change.
Since the transition from the OAU to the African Union in 2002 in Durban, we have consolidated the legacy of our predecessors. We have liberated our continent from colonialism, eradicated apartheid, and resolved many border disputes by peaceful means. Despite these bright spots, these glimmers of hope, there is still a long way to go on the path to total sovereignty, development, and peace.
This year, our celebration places particular emphasis on youth and education, central themes of our 2063 agenda. Our youth is our greatest wealth. It is the youth who will carry the future of our continent. Investing in education means ensuring that every young African has the skills and opportunities necessary to contribute to the development of our continent. We should strengthen our education systems, promote innovation and research, and create employment opportunities for our young people.
As part of Agenda 2063, our vision for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa is being realized through key initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These levers are essential to stimulate economic growth, attract investments, and create sustainable jobs for our populations.
At the same time, we face global challenges that require our attention and collective action. Regional peace and security are prerequisites for any sustainable development. We must intensify our efforts to combat terrorism and armed conflict and promote political stability. Human rights, environmental protection, and the fight against climate change are also at the heart of our joint action.
Food sovereignty is another essential pillar. We must work to ensure that every African has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. This involves supporting agriculture, innovation, and resilience in the face of climate crises.
Internationally, we must advocate for reform of global governance, both political and financial. Our voices must be heard in international bodies, and the rules of the game must be fair to enable the inclusive and sustainable development of our continent.
Social and economic inclusion, particularly of young people and women, is crucial. We should fight against all forms of discrimination and create equal opportunities for all.
These challenges remind us of the importance of mutual aid and solidarity. Together, we can overcome these obstacles and build a prosperous future for our continent.
I call on you all to join forces and talents to build the Africa of tomorrow. An Africa with modern infrastructure, a dynamic and inclusive economy, and a just and equitable society. An Africa where every young person, woman, and citizen can realize their full potential.
Make no mistake: our continent is rich in its diversity, the youth of its population and its dynamism, the resources of its soil and subsoil, highly qualified human resources, and a committed diaspora.
But we are only strong by knowing how to come together in the face of adversity and the formidable convergence of challenges that assail us.
Together, let us continue our journey toward a strong, united, and prosperous Africa. It is from our solidarity that this Africa, imagined more than half a century ago by the Pan-Africanist founders, will be born.
Long live sovereign and strong Africa! Long live the African Union, our collective vessel!
Long live African unity, our salvation!”