Egypt’s Foreign Ministry celebrated Africa Day on 25 May by lighting the windows of its building to vertically read the word: Africa.
The Ministry issued a statement that read: “Today, the peoples and countries of the African continent celebrate Africa Day which marks the anniversary of founding the first organisation for joint African action: the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), on 25 May 1963.”
The statement went on to explain that the organisation embodied the spirit of African solidarity and the African leaders’ sense of a unified purpose and destiny. “Egypt,” the statement said, “has played a pivotal role, through its leadership, in developing this joint African vision to face the continent’s challenges. The Organisation, now known as the African Union, was founded to provide a unified voice for the African continent and its peoples.
“The Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the entire world, including the African continent, reminds us of the importance of joint action; the African continent is in need of more African action and solidarity, with support from the international community, to overcome all challenges and bring peace and prosperity to the continent, through achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, along with their African equivalents for 2063.”
In conclusion, the statement reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to joint African action and to sparing no effort to achieve the continent’s goals, preserving its interests, and supporting the AU agenda in favour of the countries and peoples of Africa. It also called on the international community to continue its support to the continent in face of the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Watani International
27 May 2020