DSC01133Launch of AU 50th jubilee

PRESS STATEMENT

by Hon. Peya Mushelenga, MP, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the preparation for the official launch of the programme of events for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee, the 50TH Anniversary of the Founding of the Organization of Afrian Unity (OAU) , 15 MAY 2013

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1.  The OAU was established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by leaders of 32 independent African states.  This followed an extensive process of consultations led by many illustrious sons of Africa, notably Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and many others.  The founding of the OAU, followed a series of meetings of All Africa Peoples Conferences which started outside Africa led by the giants of the Diaspora such as Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, W.E.D. Du Bois and many others.

2. The establishment of the OAU was made with the fundamental objective for the orhanization to liberate Africa from the vestiges of colonialism and Apartheid.  That objective was achieved with the independence of Namibia in 1990 and the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994.  Unfortunately, to date, one African country, Western Sahara remains under the occupation by another African country, Morocco. This situation needs to be resolved immediately so that the people of Western Sahara can equally enjoy freedom, independence and self-determination like all other peoples of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Throughout the 1990’s, there was an emerging recognition amongst African leaders to  change the fundamental orientation of the Organization to address pressing economic and social problems facing the continent after its liberation.  Hence the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union...more 

PRESS STATEMENT

BY HON. PEYA MUSHELENGA, MP, DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ON THE ACCASSION OF THE PREPARATION FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE, THE 50TH ANNIVERSSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU), 15 MAY 2013

 

Members of the Media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

1.                        The OAU was established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by leaders of 32 independent African states.  This followed an extensive process of consultations led by many illustrious sons of Africa, notably Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and many others.  The founding of the OAU, followed a series of meetings of All Africa Peoples Conferences which started outside Africa led by the giants of the Diaspora such as Marcus Garvey, George Padmore, W.E.D. Du Bois and many others. 

 

2.                        The establishment of the OAU was made with the fundamental objective for the orhanization to liberate Africa from the vestiges of colonialism and Apartheid.  That objective was achieved with the independence of Namibia in 1990 and the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994.  Unfortunately, to date, one African country, Western Sahara remains under the occupation by another African country, Morocco. This situation needs to be resolved immediately so that the people of Western Sahara can equally enjoy freedom, independence and self-determination like all other peoples of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,