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Marking Africa Day's 40th anniversary, Annan praises continent's unity

Marking Africa Day's 40th anniversary, Annan praises continent's unity

Kofi Annan
Commemorating the fortieth anniversary of Africa Day, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today paid tribute to the Organization of African Unity (OAU), saying it gave the continent a clear collective voice in the international arena.

"The OAU has not only embodied Africa's shared values and aspirations, it has also fostered a sense of collective identity and growing partnership among Africa's diverse peoples and countries," Mr. Annan said in an address to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York.

Mr. Annan noted that 40 years ago, the founding fathers of modern Africa joined hands in Addis Ababa to set up the OAU, now transformed into the African Union. He marked Africa Day - observed on 25 May each year - by celebrating the achievements of the OAU.

"It has played a critical role in regional conflict resolution, and facilitated the steady growth of an architecture for promoting peace and security through, for example, the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Mediation and Resolution," the Secretary-General said of the OAU.

In addition, he praised "the dynamic role of the OAU's Liberation Committee, the courageous role of the Frontline States and other Member States, as well as the sacrifices of African peoples in the long and ultimately successful struggle for freedom and against apartheid."

At the same time, Mr. Annan noted, the celebration of the anniversary was "necessarily tempered" by horrifying images of killings in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Liberia and elsewhere. HIV/AIDS also continues to devastate the continent, including on agriculture and governance, he added.

The Secretary-General said it was fortunate that African countries have a long tradition of working together, as well as a new framework to continue to do so through the African Union.

"Today, the newly established African Union marks an important new phase in Africa's efforts to empower itself," Mr. Annan said. "The United Nations, for its part, will continue to be a close partner. Our cooperation is active and diverse, spanning the full spectrum of issues, involving virtually all aspects of the UN system."

Meanwhile, General Assembly President Jan Kavan of the Czech Republic said the "African continent is a critical piece to the global mosaic and at this critical juncture in Africa's development, we have to continue with our pledge to work towards the common goal of African parity with the global community."

Mr. Kavan stressed that Africa remains a priority for the UN, and the world body continues to play an important role in strengthening partnerships for development and peace on the continent.