Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Trade

Africa Day message 2020

This year Day is being commemorated in very particular circumstances at a time when the world is faced with an unprecedented challenge of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa has, indeed, not been spared by the pandemic and we are all striving very hard to respond to the situation. The spirit of solidarity and unity which has always characterised our Union will, no doubt, be an asset for the African family to overcome this pandemic together.

On 25 1963, the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was not only a landmark accomplishment for Africans but also a pivotal turning point in the history of Africa.

Fifty-seven years ago, the African people, determined to eliminate , took their destiny into their own hands to open a new chapter to construct a stronger and brighter Africa, based on common values and ideals. Since then, the 25th May has been widely remembered across the world and in Africa particularly, to echo Africa’s identity and heritage.

This anniversary celebration, therefore, marks a defining moment to reflect on the relentless contribution of the to the Continent’s prosperity and to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the Founding Fathers to build a united and affluent Africa.

Africa Day is a golden opportunity for the nations and diaspora to rejoice fervently on the substantial progress made, over the years, by the African Union in terms of conflict resolution, peace and stability, good governance, education, health, human rights, gender equality, accelerated Continental integration and human development, among others.

Today, Africa is moving ahead with the implementation of , inspired by its guiding vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens”. This blueprint, adopted in 2013, is a major step for the Continent to forge ahead for its socio- economic transformation over the next 50 years.

Africa Day is yet another opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the seven ambitious aspirations of the Agenda, aiming to convert Africa into a modern nation by its centenary.

In the same vein, peace and security remain high on the agenda of the African Union with progress being gradually made towards achieving the goal of ending violent conflict on the Continent by 2020. It is against this backdrop that the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions For Africa's Development” for the year 2020 was chosen at an opportune time to pursue our quest for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Africa.

Africa Day presents a unique occasion to reflect on an important milestone on tolerance, peace and stability across the continent. Tremendous progress has been made in the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2020 (AUMR). It is vital that the momentum generated by the AUMR be maintained so that the root causes of violent conflicts/crises in Africa be addressed in a comprehensive manner.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), another flagship project under the Agenda 2063, is an important opportunity for African countries, in an increasingly globalized world, to create a conducive environment for Africa’s development. The ratification of the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area by in September 2019 is yet another achievement to be highlighted as this would escalate our economic and trade relations with the Continent to greater heights. Indeed, this is sending a strong signal to the private sector on Africa’s readiness to do business. The early implementation of the AfCFTA has the potential to serve as a stimulus package for Africa in the post COVID-19 recovery period.

In view of the present fragile global sanitary crisis, the African Union system is undertaking substantial reforms to be more credible at the continental stage and to give impetus to our revitalisation effort to support African countries in responding adequately to any current and future possible crises. The African Union has remarkable potential to diffuse best practices aimed at rectifying underlying deficiencies particularly in the context of the current COVID- 19 pandemic. Despite the immense challenges posed by this scourge and a possible slowdown in the world economy, we remain hopeful that investment in our human capital will bring economic dividends in our struggle to build a strong Africa.

Following the Ebola crisis in 2014, the creation of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been a positive development for the African Union to better formulate an approach for disaster and crisis preparedness. The Centre which has played an instrumental role in containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across Africa, has now developed a commendable initiative aiming to ensure that at least 10 million tests are conducted in Africa in the next 4 months and to offer a path for the participation of the public and private sector to improve Africa’s health situation and prospects.

The Republic of Mauritius is deeply grateful to all Member States of the African Union for their unflinching support to its relentless fight for the completion of its decolonisation so that it can effectively exercise its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. As Mauritius pursues this struggle, it counts on the continued support of the African Union.

On the auspicious occasion of the Africa Day, the Government of the Republic of Mauritius renews its commitment to the values enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and its unremitting efforts to bring unity, peace and prosperity in Africa.

Long live Africa! Long live the Republic of Mauritius!