EFF statement on Africa Day
25 May 2021
The EFF marks the 58th Anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which is continentally and globally celebrated as Africa Day. The 25. of May 1963 represents an important day in the history of the African continent because African leaders under the political and ideological guidance of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie, Ahmed Sekou Tour& Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein, and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere met in Addis Ababa to commence discussions aimed at uniting the African Continent.
On that occasion, the 25'' of May 1963 Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah said that "the unity of our continent, no less than our separate independence, will be delayed if, indeed, we do not lose it, by hobnobbing with colonialism. African unity is, above all, a political kingdom which can only be gained by political means. The social and economic development of Africa will come only within the political kingdom, not the other way round".
Nkrumah said this because he understood that "Neo-colonialism is based upon the principle of breaking up former large united colonial territories into a number of small non-viable States which are incapable of independent development and must rely upon the former imperial power for defence and even internal security. Their economic and financial systems are linked, as in colonial days, with those of the former colonial ruler".
Emperor Haile Selassie said on the "Today, we look to the future calmly, confidently and courageously. We look to the vision of an Africa not merely free but united. In facing this new challenge, we can take comfort and encouragement from the lessons of the past. We know that there are differences among us. Africans enjoy different cultures, distinctive values, special attributes.