𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲.
This day of 𝟗 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 will always be full of memories but also of expectations. Remembering not only the first steps of this long-held political project of African unity, but also memory of the achievements made on the road to this unity.
In 1999, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU decided to convene an extraordinary session to expedite the process of economic and political integration in the continent. On 9.9.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the OAU issued a Declaration (The Sirte Declaration) calling for the 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧. In 2002 during the Durban Summit, the 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 )𝐀𝐔) 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity.
The decision to re-launch Africa’s Pan-African organisation was the outcome of a consensus by African leaders that in order to realise Africa’s potential, there was a need to refocus attention from the fight for decolonisation and apartheid, which had been the focus of the OAU, towards increased 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of African states to drive Africa’s 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. The continent re-dedicated herself to the attainment of the Pan-African Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”
To achieve this vision, the Agenda 2063 development Framework was developed following extensive consultations involving all formations of African society to define the social and economic development, integration, democratic governance and peace and security, as the planks of the vision.
𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟑 is therefore an Agenda to which 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲, and therefore has a stake in its implementation. The inclusive approach adopted in the design of #Agenda2063, which was pivotal in creating a sense of ownership of the agenda among a range of stakeholders.
As we reflect on the achievements, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we wish all Africans a 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲.
