By Samwin Banienuba
25th May is Africa Day. For many years it has been a celebration of African unity. It dates back to 1963 when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was founded in Ethiopia on the 25th of May. Before then 15th April, which marked the first Conference of Independent African States held in Ghana in 1958, was upheld as African Freedom Day.

The significance of the Day was to reflect the aspirations of people to break free from the chains of colonial bondage by dint of a collective will. Also, it was meant to help raise political awareness around the world about the state of affairs in Africa and the self-determination of its people.



Within years, the African Freedom Day was renamed African Liberation Day and the date changed from 15th April to 25th May following the establishment of the OAU. By this time the number of independent African countries had risen from 8 in 1958 to a little over 30 in 1963. When the African Union succeeded the OAU in July 2002 the African Liberation Day became known as Africa Day and has since been a statutory holiday in many African countries.

The value of Africa Day is in the unity it enjoins. Artificial boundaries impacted by colonialism have knifed through ethnic nationalities and left the continent balkanised in sovereign entities that are hardly viable individually and economically in a competitive global environment. The celebration of Africa Day throughout the continent is recognition that these boundaries are indeed superficial. Africans are one people with a shared destiny that is better served by unity of purpose, of economies and ideally of politics.

Importantly, Africa Day occasions a moment for reflection. Africa is one stereotyped continent that continues to evoke gruelling images of poverty, gory scenes of famines, blighted tales of corruption, tragic narratives of civil conflicts and a damning prognosis of outright dismissal. Simply, pessimists cannot envisage a foreseeable solution to the crisis presented by the sum of Africa's misfortunes.

Recent stories of coup d'états in Mali and Guinea Bissau, the cross-border conflict between the Sudan and South Sudan and the never ending civil war in DR Congo are some of the human made catastrophes fuelling inane platitudes and lending credence to vapid pessimism. Yet, even though none of these negative ravages is neither entirely African doing nor a result of chance and coincidence the magnitude warrants concern and sober reflection.

The natural resources of the world’s poorest continent are a gold mine which has never ceased to tantalise predators outside the continent and their surrogates within. Africa is said to possess 99% of the world’s chrome resources, 85% of its platinum, 70% of its tantalite, 68% of its cobalt, 54% of its gold plus significant oil and gas reserves.

The continent is also home to uranium, manganese, diamonds and bauxite deposits in very high quantities. Timber and other forests resources add to the lure including massive underground water reserves discovered in some of the driest parts of the continent.

Africa’s vulnerability has been intrinsically linked to its rich resources and a history of colonialism for which the resources provided bait. Many of the civil wars that are still fought today have their genesis palpably in the struggle for control and appropriation of African wealth. In what is known as resource curse theory the blame has been incongruously vented on the resources themselves rather than on the greed of bloodsucking marauders and their cohorts. It certainly calls for reflection.

At the same time, Africa Day deserves celebrating. It celebrates African diversity and mutuality, its culture and identity, its history and heritage, its achievements and excellence and its potential and promise.

A little over fifty years ago, and with the possible exception of Ethiopia and Liberia, the entire continent was colonial territory in which the peoples were subjected to indignities and killings administered by foreign powers ironically claiming to be democratic and civilised. Assimilation, colour bar and apartheid epitomised some of the monstrous evils of colonial rule in Africa.

Thanks to resolute courage and dogged determination, all 54 countries in the continent fly their own flags and sing their own national anthems today. The vestiges of colonialism notwithstanding Africans have relatively much greater opportunity to chart a cause of progress for themselves and by themselves.

Africa illuminates hope. Between 2000 and 2010 six of the ten fastest growing economies were African and Angola grew faster than any other in the world. Poverty rate has been on the decline by about 1% every year. Educational opportunities have expanded and more girls are in school. In 2010 Africa did the hitherto unthinkable when it played host to the World Cup. Even more unthinkable was when Angola poured its oil money into debt-ridden Portugal in 2011 to salvage the former colonial power from economic collapse.

In July 2009 United States President Obama voted Ghana the ‘golden child’ of democracy with a visit within months of taking office. But Ghana is not alone in trail blazing democracy and good governance in the continent. Senegal recently recorded free and fair election in which the concession of the incumbent to defeat surpassed expectations. Botswana, the least corrupt country in Africa according to Transparency International, has been exemplary in democracy for many years. Everywhere in the continent a wind of representative governance blows auspiciously and deserves celebration.

Africa Day has become a global phenomenon. The African Diaspora and those who share the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa have made it so. Many have already put in place arrangements for celebrating this unique Day across the world this year. The African Communities Forum Inc in New Zealand will be celebrating under the theme “Celebration of African Diversity, Celebration of Oneness and Celebration of Success”.

In the United Kingdom the Pan African Congress Movement will do the same albeit under a separate theme “Save Our Youths, Save Africa”. Similarly the London Business School will be looking at “Africa, Taking Ownership: Successes & Challenges” while the Swedish Trade Council will be focusing on Business Opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.

For Africa and Africans, Africa Day is that constant reminder of a common history of slavery and colonialism, the sign of a shared heritage and culture, the symbol of fraternity in the struggle for real progress in peace and development, and a rallying call to mobilise opinion and join effort for the acceleration of African integration and ultimate unity.
At Humanitas Afrika we wish Africans at home and in the Diaspora the enabling environment they cherish for the realisation of their hopes and dreams for a truly united Africa. Happy Africa Day!

Marcus Mosiah Garvey

On May 25, 1963 — the date on which the Organisation of African Unity was established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — the assembled leaders of the African continent decreed that henceforth the May 25 would be celebrated as African Liberation Day.

And over the years, people of African descent all over the world, have responded positively to this decree, and have used African Liberation Day as a day on which they recommit themselves to struggle for the liberation and advancement of black or African people.

Tomorrow, African Liberation Day will be celebrated in Barbados with the staging of a pubic rally at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed that will be devoted to honouring the late great Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and to discussing the way forward for Barbados in these critical times.

The tribute to Marcus Garvey will feature addresses by Bishop Babb of the Spiritual Baptist Church, and by historians, Trevor Marshall and Thelma Gill-Barnett. A proposal to rename the Steel Shed the “Marcus Garvey Steel Shed” will also be tabled, discussed and voted upon.

The discussion on The Way Forward For Barbados will be led by veteran Pan-Africanist Bobby Clarke, black business stalwart Muhammad Nassar, and young black entrepreneur Miles Muhammad.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and is free of cost to the public. (DS)

AFRICA DAY is celebrated all over the world on May 25 to ever year. The aim is to highlight Africa’s diversity, success, economic potential and cultural resonance with the rest of the world.

INDIA will celebrate Africa Day 2012 at Siri Fort Auditorium, when INDIAFRICA: A Shared Future, the unique outreach programme that is building bridges between African and Indian youth, will choreograph an evening of dance and music with INDIAN OCEAN, the iconic fusion band; Horn of Africa, an African dance troupe; Amazing Talent, an African rock band in Delhi and SlumGods, the Hip Hop Collective!

RSVP on our Facebook event here.

NOTE: Entry by registrations only – one first come first serve basis.
To attend the event please register here: www.indiafrica.in/indianocean

The first Global African Diaspora Summit theme, "Towards the Realisation of a United and Integrated Africa and its Diaspora," is preceeded by a New Moon Solar Eclispe, @5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. We mark this meaningful sign for success and positive reception to constructive shared ideas. The African Union has defined the African Diaspora as "consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union."

The first Global African Diaspora Summit is held on Africa Day at the Sandton Convention Centre, which will be attended by 64 heads of state, and hosted by the African Union (AU) in partnership with the South African Government. The summit is preceded by an African Diaspora Ministerial Meeting at the Tambo Building, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Head Office in Pretoria.

The theme Towards the Realisation of a United and Integrated Africa and its Diaspora, is preceeded by a New Moon Solar Eclispe to mark a meaningful sign for success.

The AU has defined the African Diaspora as "consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union."

CELEBRATION OF AFRICA DAY
May 22, 2012 at 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Caisa Cultural Center, Mikonkatu 17 Helsinki.
http://www.afaes.net/
With great pleasure Afaes ry in cooperation with Universal Peace Federation invite you to the celebration of Africa Day scheduled for 22nd of May, 2012 at 18:00-20.30 at Caisa Cultural Center, Mikonkatu 17 Helsinki.
Africa Day is celebrated around the world annually on May 25th, marking the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25th May in 1963. In many African countries it is observed as a public holiday. Its aim is to celebrate African diversity and success and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African Continent.
PROGRAMME FOR THE CELEBRATION OF AFRICA DAY; 22 MAY 2012 AT CAISA CULTURAL CENTER
17.45: coffe and Tea
18.00: Musical performance, Eugenia Manning
18.10-18.25: Fighting Poverty and Promoting Economic Empowerment Speaker Faith Hakala, Tampere
18.25-18.40: African Mission in Somali Speaker Saido Mohamed
18.40-18.50: Musical performance Selene Gama
19.00-19.20: Perspectives on Peace in Africa , Speaker Barbara Stacey UPF
19:30-19:40: Coffee/ Tea
19.40- 20.00: Understanding the Cause of Conflict in Africa, Speaker Georges Benissan ACS Finland
20.00-20.30: Open Discussion with Faith Hakala, Barbara Stacey and Georges Benissan, Saido Mohamed
Registration: Please register for this event by sending a message to afaes@afaes.net on or before 18.05.2012 indicating names of delegates from organization if applicable.
Looking forward to welcoming you
CELEBRATION OF AFRICA DAY
With great pleasure Afaes ry in cooperation with Universal Peace Federation invite you to the celebration of Africa Day scheduled for 22nd of May, 2012 at 18:00-20.30 at Caisa Cultural Center, Mikonkatu 17 Helsinki.
Africa Day is celebrated around the world annually on May 25th, marking the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25th May in 1963. In many African countries it is observed as a public holiday. Its aim is to celebrate African diversity and success and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African Continent.
Event Organizer: Faith Hakala (Founder CEO 1Golden world groups,Project Consultant.Paralegal on Refugee and Immigration issues,)

Fhemmmy: Is Africa really united?
Is Africa really liberated?