COMMEMORATION OF THE 57TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFRICA LIBERATION DAY 25TH MAY, 2020
The leadership of the Pan African Movement – Uganda National Chapter would like to congratulate the African Union and the East African Community, African states and all people of African descent upon the 57th Anniversary of the Africa Liberation Day and founding of the Organization of African Unity (African Union). From the inception of Pan-Africanism by Africans in the Diaspora in the latter years of the 19th century, but gaining more prominence and political legitimacy in the first half of the 20th century through the first five Pan African Congresses (1900-1945), the All African People’s Conferences - Accra (1958), Dar el Salaam (1974), Kampala (1994) and Accra again (2015), the destination has always been total unification of Africa under a common government, citizenship and a market with full participation of Africans in the Diaspora. This ambition inspired the anti-colonial movement in Africa and found expression in the formation of Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25th May, 1963. Therefore, ALD serves the purpose of forging unity and cooperation among the Africans, but most importantly it’s a call for resuscitation of the Pan African struggle towards the noble objective of unification of Africa.
This year’s commemorations come at a time when the world is grappling with the Novel Corona Virus – COVID19 which has devastated economies and claimed over 342,000 lives worldwide with Africa standing at 3,184 total number of fatalities since the onset of the pandemic. We would like therefore to compliment African governments for their response on managing the spread of the disease. On this note, we send salutations to H.E Comrade Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar for the country’s homegrown medicine to treat COVID19. This is what true world independence means. We call upon other stakeholders in Africa including states, organizations and philanthropists to offer support to Madagascar.
The pandemic has showed Africa’s need for urgent unification as a continent if it’s to survive any future calamities or to remain relevant in global affairs. We appreciate the ongoing efforts by AU but the fast tracking of a political unification paramount – Guns can only be silenced permanently through unity. African people cannot be convinced by the ‘gradual’ strategy which has failed to unite us since 1963. The more delays, the more complications we get.
We would also like to extend compliments to our brothers in Cuba, H.E Comrade Miguel Diaz - Canel for the usual international solidarity extended to countries which were in dire need of medical support. It’s unfortunate however that the United States leadership continues with its aggressive policy against Cuba. Besides the illegal financial and economic embargo imposed on the country for nearly six decades now, the occupation of Guantanamo Bay, political and diplomatic sabotage, the USA is once again planning to blacklist Cuba as a terrorist country for simply offering support to a sovereign government of Venezuela. This is totally unacceptable and we call upon the international community to protest against this ill move by the US against the people of Cuba. All countries must be respected regardless of its size, strength, ideology and influence.
As we commemorate under the theme; Accelerating reforms towards Africa’s integration, we call for African governments to consider more involvement and consultations of the citizens in the Pan African issues for practical implementation of the continents integration agenda.
We wish you happy celebrations.
COMRADE DANIEL RUGARAMA
Chairman – National Executive Committee
Embacuba Uganda