ANC Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU

Today the continent of Africa celebrates the 50th Anniversary since the formation of our continental body, the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) in 1963. Celebrated under the theme, "2013: Year of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance," the 50th Anniversary presents an opportune moment to assess how far we have come in living up to the founding principles of African unity and to assess the road still to be traversed towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1963, the objectives of the OAU were to promote the unity and solidarity of African States, defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa and to promote international cooperation. Throughout the five decades of its existence, the OAU has been at the centre of the quest for self-determination in Africa. Through its Coordinating Committee on the Liberation of Africa, the OAU played a decisive role in assisting to bring about the liberation of the people of Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa amongst many others on our continent.

50 years on, the task of the OAU, strengthened in 2003 by Sirte Declaration to establish the African Union (AU), remains as relevant today as it was in 1963. The historic task for political independence may have been completed in most countries of the continent however; the quest for economic independence and development is as urgent and critical an ideal.

The development and prosperity of Africa in the interest of her people as a whole must define the work of the AU and all member states, consolidating the wealth and resources of the continent to benefit the masses of the people who still suffer under the debilitating consequences of poverty, underdevelopment and deprivation.

Taking the baton from the founding fathers of the OAU, the African Union must be seized with the advancement of interests of a continent whose time has come. African countries have some of the fastest growing economies of the world and these represent opportunities that must lead to the realisation of the African agenda. It is our hope that the AU shall lead the charge for the socio-economic integration of the continent.

Through interconnected and strengthened regional economies, Africa shall be well poised to take its rightful place in the global economy. As the African National Congress, we are happy that South Africa, through the President of the Republic working together with other Presidents in the continent, is playing a role in advancing economic development and integration of the continent. It is our wish to see even greater urgency on this front, working in concert with other progressive emerging economies of the world.

50 years on, the peace, security and stability of our Continent remains a critical precondition for its development and prosperity. The African Union must continue to play a decisive role, working with member states, to give popular expression to its objective to promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance. It is the African Union that must be the guardian of the vision of an Africa driven by its own citizens, seeking and finding African solutions to African problems. The ANC-led government will continue, wherever it is required, to make its humble contribution to the AU and the United Nations' peacekeeping initiatives on the continent. This we do because the ANC believes that Africa cannot develop if the continent is not peaceful and there can be no peace without development as the two are indivisibly intertwined.

50 years is a mid-point to a century of existence. As Africans, we should therefore take this is as a critical milestone, serving to sharpen our resolve to accelerate the pace of the realization of the African Renaissance. In 2063, Africa will be a world leader setting the standard for inclusive economic development that benefits the people as a whole, democratic governance and a humane and just social order.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, May 25 2013

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