By Mekonnen Teshome Tollera
Will Prime Minister Abiy Capitalize on OAU’s 60th Anniversary To Let Addis Ababa Replicate its 1963 History?
OAU ‘s anniversary will be celebrated with the Slogan: “Our Africa Our Future”
As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the signature of its founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 25, 2023 – the continent commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the current African Union.
The African Union has announced that it is making preparations to mark the anniversary colorfully with series of events.
“Cooperate with the AU Commission, in making their national public broadcasters available to disseminate information coming from the Commission in the month of May 2023” and raise awareness on the Africa Day celebration, in the context of ensuring that all African citizens know more about the celebrations and the role of the AU, in building the corporate identity of the African Union while promoting the AU symbols,” the AU has called on Africam media in its statement.
Ethiopia took the lion share in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity when it was born on May 25, 1963, and has ever since helped shepherd the organization as it transformed into the African Union and took on issues such as economic integration and peace and security.
Ethiopia was one of the founding members United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of African Unity (now AU). In addition to being the headquarters of the AU, Addis Abeba is also the home of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa, the African Aviation HQ, African Standby Force and many other global NGOs focused on Africa.
It has made major contributions before and after the advent of OAU/AU. Ethiopia was a beacon of hope millions for Africans and people of African descent around the world. It sparked the Ethiopianism movement which was the front runner of Pan Africanism which in turn resulted in African independence.
Ethiopia’s leading role in Africa became pronounced after it’s victory of Italy in the Battle of Adowa in 1896. In doing so, Emperor Menelik II guaranteed Ethiopian independence and united the disparate country. Since then Ethiopia has derived its prestige with its uniquely successful military resistance during the late 19thcentury Scramble for Africa, as it became the only African country that successfully defeated a European colonial power and retained its sovereignty. Subsequently, many African nations adopted the colours of Ethiopia’s flag when they gained independence.
The AU is a continental organization consisting of 54 nations in Africa with the exception of Morocco (which has a pending membership application to rejoin after it left over the dispute about Western Sahara.) The new AU was established in 2001 in Addis Abeba and launched in 2002 in South Africa, with the aim of replacing the OAU.
Will Prime Minister Abiy Capitalize on OAU ’s 60th Anniversary ?
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is known for his unwavering commitment and passion to Pan-African movement reflected in his words and practical actions including the naming of many iconic public places in Addis Ababa built under his leadership including the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AfLEX), Arica Park and many more.
The Prime Minister recently told African leaders regarding AfLEX “We envision it to be where African leaders, academics and professionals gather to exchange ideas, make decisions and set a continental agenda. It will also serve as an incubator of future leaders where three generations of exiting, existing and emerging leaders can learn from one another. Hence, the establishment of this academy is a testimony of Ethiopia’s commitment to sustaining the richness of Pan-Africanism”, he underlined.
The Premier added that “…At the dawn of a New Year, two momentous occasions loom large in 2023 for Africans. Firstly, this year marks the 60′” anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity. And secondly, we also observe the 10th year anniversary of the launching of Agenda 2063. These two milestones capture the spirit of today’s Forum: celebrating the past — envisioning the future.
As we reflect on our past journey of many achievements and set-backs, and as we navigate a changing world, it is imperative we also dream and define the decades that lie ahead of us. Hence, Reinvigorating Pan-Africanism for a Changing World is a critical assignment we must take up In our aspiration to articulate and elevate our African Union.”
PM Abiy stressed that “reinvigorating and recalibrating Pan-Africanism requires us to disrupt the status quo and leap into the future. Potentials need to change into products. Our minds need to transform our lands. We need to create dean and green environments.”
“Pan Africanism should flourish as an idea of cooperative integration, global competitiveness, and peaceful coexistence. African youth and women should share their due space in leadership and development”, he further underscored.
“We cannot let constructed divides, geographic boundaries and political ideologies hijack our Pan-African ideals. The crisis in global leadership calls for Africans to step up collectively and think beyond our confines.
The changing world and its yet to be defined order calls for a new brand of leaders that are agenda setters, creative thinkers and solution makers. This is an academy that will raise and shape such African leaders. And such forums are the necessary platform to cultivate a habit of dialoguing into the future.”
And now, is Prime Minister Abiy and his country Ethiopia ready to repeat what the then Ethiopia King Hailesilasie did in colorfully celebrating OAU’s 60th Anniversary ?