The African Union, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is holding an extraordinary summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, between Wednesday and Saturday.
It coincides with May 25, when the continent celebrates Africa Day, which marks the anniversary of the signing of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) agreements which developed into the present day African Union (AU).
As Africans celebrate the socio-economic achievements of the continent while the AU Theme for the year, Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent continues to be in focus.
Chaired by Macky Sall, current chairman of the AU, the two summits will hold on Friday and Saturday. The health, climate, food and security crises will be central to the discussions.
Saturday will be dedicated to the fight against terrorism, whether in the Sahel, Mozambique or Somalia, but also to the political instability experienced by many countries over the past two years with the resurgence of coups in West Africa.
In Malabo, the Office of the African Union Youth Envoy says it seeks to encourage African youths on the continent and in the diaspora to support and promote positive social change, intergenerational dialogue and concrete action for Africa’s development.
On May 25 1963, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed the founding charter of the organisation in Addis Ababa.
Since then, the commemoration of the historic day by Africans and Africans in the diaspora has served as an opportunity for each country to organise events in order to promote the understanding between African peoples. It has now become a deeply rooted tradition in all African countries, and it represents the symbol of the struggle of the entire African continent for liberation, development and economic progress.
This year’s celebration is centred on nutrition, with the African Union Theme for the year 2022 “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent”.