ADDIS ABABA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) officials have called on all Africans to commit themselves to building a united, strong and prosperous Africa, capable of speaking with one voice in the international arena.
The call came during the celebration of Africa Day at the AU headquarters on Saturday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, under the theme "Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future."
Addressing the event, Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Africa is steadily building its peace, prosperity, and integration while demanding a rightful place in the global arena.
"While justice and reparations remain long overdue, Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past," he said.
He said that international geopolitics is conducted at the expense of Africa and that influential global powers do not give proper attention to the ambitions of the continent.
"It is our duty as Africans to safeguard our resources and prioritize value addition through transformative initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics," Youssouf said.
In a video message, current Chairperson of the AU Joao Lourenco called for realizing Africa's political freedom, harness its rich resources, and address political fragmentation, internal conflict, and youth unemployment, among others.
"All Africans, especially those who have the responsibility of guiding Africa's destiny, should commit and invest their energy and knowledge to build a united and prosperous Africa," Lourenco said.
He said the launch of the AfCFTA stands as a landmark achievement in promoting Africa's collective journey toward economic integration, enhancing intra-African trade and spurring sustainable development.
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the AU, on May 25, 1963. As Africa Day 2025 is marked across the continent and in the diaspora, the AU called on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, pursue justice with courage, and shape the continent's future with confidence and pride. ■
