Date: 25/05/04
Title: J Alberto Chissano: speech on Africa Day
Excellencies,
Dear Africans Brothers and Sisters,
Dear Friends of Africa,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honour that, in my capacity as the Chairperson man of the African Union, I address all Africans and friends of Africa, wherever they may be, on the occasion of the celebration of yet one more anniversary of the Organisation of the African Unity, an offspring of our glorious liberation epic.
The Organisation of African Unity has, throughout its existence, made outstanding achievements of great political transcendence that have changed the destiny of the African Continent. As a matter of fact, these achievements have been such that even the less attentive political observers are bound to acknowledge the heroic deeds of the O.A.U. and their impact in the global international relations system.
We have, therefore, several and profound reasons to celebrate in recognition of these great achievements of our organisation, of which I would like to single out just three: - First, the OAU has been able to accomplish its noble mission of bringing about the political liberation of the Continent and giving back dignity and honour to the African peoples; - Second, it has withstood with tenacity and determination the vicissitudes of the cold war and all attempts at dividing it; - Third, it has been able to scan the historical trends and the dynamics of international relations today and understand the need for change, so as to be up to the challenges posed by the contemporary world.
Having liberated the Continent from colonial yoke African leaders have, as a matter of fact, understood that in the eve of globalization, the OAU could no longer be as trustful in keep pace with world evolution. They have, therefore, bowed to the imperative of undergoing a metamorphosis.
This "genetic mutation" of the OAU was aimed at equipping it with efficient tools that would enable it to speed up the process of bringing about political, economic, social and cultural progress in the Continent, without which the African peoples would forever be condemned to live in poverty, hunger and misery.
This mutation is also geared at giving the Continent the necessary political and economic strength so it may become an equal partner to other regions of the world and a pro-active actor in international relations that can bring its view to bear in defence of its inalienable legitimate interests.
We, African leaders and active forces of our societies, feel the great support from our people, whom today, more than ever, actively participate in defining their future, in the formulation of policies for their achievement, finding an enlarged space to become more active agents of their own development.
It is precisely to guarantee this participation that the Constitutive Act of the African Union envisages the establishment of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, a forum through which the civil society of the Continent will actively take part in the formulation of decisions with an impact on the present and future of the African peoples.
The full participation of African peoples in the efforts for a sustainable development and economic integration of the Continent through their representatives in parliament was asserted with the launching of the Pan-African Parliament on the 18 of March 2004.
The adoption of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) by the African Union was a fundamental milestone in the history of our Continent.
NEPAD provides a platform for the construction of a united, prosperous and harmonious Continent, thus giving substance to the ideas and aspirations of the African peoples.
One of the greatest achievements in the Continent was the decision and the determination by the African leaders to improve governance. It is the realisation of the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act. With this in mind, we established the Peer Review Mechanism, an instrument that consolidates our conviction that we will move surely and steadily in our quest for progress.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Maputo Summit was an important milestone in the history of our Organisation, because it was the moment where the AU Commission was established, with the election of the President and Deputy-President of the Commission, as well as the commissioners. The launching of the Pan-African Parliament on the 18th of March and the formal launching of the Peace and Security Council, today, May 25th, are examples of our engagement in the materialisation of our decisions.
I cannot but note that the establishment of the African Union organs bodies is taking place at a pace never witnessed in the history of our Organisation. This fact is not more than the reflex of the dynamics that we, African leaders want to give to the functioning of the African Union, an Organisation we want to keep modern, efficient and up to the challenges of the XXI century, the African Century.
Our efforts to modernise our continental Organisation, are guided by the commitment we have undertaken, of giving African women the space they deserve in the leadership and development of Africa and its institutions.
The gender balance that is in the set up of the organs of the Union indicates that we are honouring this commitment.
Great progress has been achieved in our quest for peace, security and stability in Africa. The still prevailing situations of isolated spots of tension and conflict here and there do challenge our endeavours to promote sustainable. Though residual, these conflicts test our ability and determination to seek peace.
Peace and stability constitute the fundamental prerequisites for the full attainment of the objectives set out in NEPAD, leading to higher levels of economic and social development of the African peoples.
It is for this reason that we harbour great expectations on the Peace and Security Council as an efficient tool for the materialisation of the African agenda for conflict prevention, management and resolution.
Excellencies,
Dear fellow Africans
The achievements made by the African Union, in such a short period of time of its existence, are truly remarkable, in a world that is ever more integrated and in which borders are permeable to the flow of information, knowledge, capital and human resources. Africa is challenged to take advantage of this reality by designing and implementing strategies that will enable it to mitigate the pernicious effects of the globalisation process.
We are also called to align our strategic plans to fight absolute poverty and other governmental programmes to NEPAD and the millennium development goals. We must not spare energies in the search for solutions to the external debt problem nor be complacent in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Each and every one of us must contribute to the success of NEPAD, for it symbolises the triumph of our collective undertaking to promote sustainable development of the Continent.
We have defined this century as "The African Century". Today, we have the advantage of being better-equipped and more united to assert our aspirations. If we were victorious yesterday, despite great obstacles and adversities, nothing will prevent us from succeeding in the future.
The natural and human resources that we have and the great capital of faith and determination that drive us, is an added value. Therefore, all Africans, regardless of where they are, must let themselves get infected by the certainty of success and give their best selves in the efforts for the development of Africa.
Each one of us faces the noble challenge and responsibility of ensuring that future generations will live in a Continent free from the spectrum of hunger, wars and diseases. We must therefore engage ourselves in mobilising support for Africa and learn from the experience of other partners which may guarantee the success of the programmes we design for the Continent.
The African Diaspora has a role to play in this process. It must be the image and the beat of Africa wherever it is. It must think of itself as an important network of advocates and ambassadors of Africa. It must turn the opportunities provided by its life experience into a vantage point that is of interest of the mother land.
While acknowledging that is upon us that lay the main responsibility to develop our Continent, we would welcome a more positive attitude from the international community. We expect it to support us and to pool together with us in the building of a more stable and harmonious world. After all, the global village in which we live in will not be safe for a few of us, if it is not safe and stable for all of us. In the long run, no island of progress and stability will be sustainable if it is surrounded by an ocean of misery, of those without a present and without a future.
The journey might be long, but I have no doubt that many victories are ahead of us. We may not live long enough to witness them, as we do witness the triumph of the cause embraced by the founding fathers. As a matter of fact, it is not always that those who dare to initiate a great undertaking have the chance to conclude it.
We must, however, work hard and do our best to be found deserving, from the future generations, of the same appreciation we make today of the mentors of the African unity. Together we will succeed. The struggle still continues.
Thank you very much!
Title: J Alberto Chissano: speech on Africa Day
Excellencies,
Dear Africans Brothers and Sisters,
Dear Friends of Africa,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honour that, in my capacity as the Chairperson man of the African Union, I address all Africans and friends of Africa, wherever they may be, on the occasion of the celebration of yet one more anniversary of the Organisation of the African Unity, an offspring of our glorious liberation epic.
The Organisation of African Unity has, throughout its existence, made outstanding achievements of great political transcendence that have changed the destiny of the African Continent. As a matter of fact, these achievements have been such that even the less attentive political observers are bound to acknowledge the heroic deeds of the O.A.U. and their impact in the global international relations system.
We have, therefore, several and profound reasons to celebrate in recognition of these great achievements of our organisation, of which I would like to single out just three: - First, the OAU has been able to accomplish its noble mission of bringing about the political liberation of the Continent and giving back dignity and honour to the African peoples; - Second, it has withstood with tenacity and determination the vicissitudes of the cold war and all attempts at dividing it; - Third, it has been able to scan the historical trends and the dynamics of international relations today and understand the need for change, so as to be up to the challenges posed by the contemporary world.
Having liberated the Continent from colonial yoke African leaders have, as a matter of fact, understood that in the eve of globalization, the OAU could no longer be as trustful in keep pace with world evolution. They have, therefore, bowed to the imperative of undergoing a metamorphosis.
This "genetic mutation" of the OAU was aimed at equipping it with efficient tools that would enable it to speed up the process of bringing about political, economic, social and cultural progress in the Continent, without which the African peoples would forever be condemned to live in poverty, hunger and misery.
This mutation is also geared at giving the Continent the necessary political and economic strength so it may become an equal partner to other regions of the world and a pro-active actor in international relations that can bring its view to bear in defence of its inalienable legitimate interests.
We, African leaders and active forces of our societies, feel the great support from our people, whom today, more than ever, actively participate in defining their future, in the formulation of policies for their achievement, finding an enlarged space to become more active agents of their own development.
It is precisely to guarantee this participation that the Constitutive Act of the African Union envisages the establishment of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, a forum through which the civil society of the Continent will actively take part in the formulation of decisions with an impact on the present and future of the African peoples.
The full participation of African peoples in the efforts for a sustainable development and economic integration of the Continent through their representatives in parliament was asserted with the launching of the Pan-African Parliament on the 18 of March 2004.
The adoption of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) by the African Union was a fundamental milestone in the history of our Continent.
NEPAD provides a platform for the construction of a united, prosperous and harmonious Continent, thus giving substance to the ideas and aspirations of the African peoples.
One of the greatest achievements in the Continent was the decision and the determination by the African leaders to improve governance. It is the realisation of the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act. With this in mind, we established the Peer Review Mechanism, an instrument that consolidates our conviction that we will move surely and steadily in our quest for progress.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Maputo Summit was an important milestone in the history of our Organisation, because it was the moment where the AU Commission was established, with the election of the President and Deputy-President of the Commission, as well as the commissioners. The launching of the Pan-African Parliament on the 18th of March and the formal launching of the Peace and Security Council, today, May 25th, are examples of our engagement in the materialisation of our decisions.
I cannot but note that the establishment of the African Union organs bodies is taking place at a pace never witnessed in the history of our Organisation. This fact is not more than the reflex of the dynamics that we, African leaders want to give to the functioning of the African Union, an Organisation we want to keep modern, efficient and up to the challenges of the XXI century, the African Century.
Our efforts to modernise our continental Organisation, are guided by the commitment we have undertaken, of giving African women the space they deserve in the leadership and development of Africa and its institutions.
The gender balance that is in the set up of the organs of the Union indicates that we are honouring this commitment.
Great progress has been achieved in our quest for peace, security and stability in Africa. The still prevailing situations of isolated spots of tension and conflict here and there do challenge our endeavours to promote sustainable. Though residual, these conflicts test our ability and determination to seek peace.
Peace and stability constitute the fundamental prerequisites for the full attainment of the objectives set out in NEPAD, leading to higher levels of economic and social development of the African peoples.
It is for this reason that we harbour great expectations on the Peace and Security Council as an efficient tool for the materialisation of the African agenda for conflict prevention, management and resolution.
Excellencies,
Dear fellow Africans
The achievements made by the African Union, in such a short period of time of its existence, are truly remarkable, in a world that is ever more integrated and in which borders are permeable to the flow of information, knowledge, capital and human resources. Africa is challenged to take advantage of this reality by designing and implementing strategies that will enable it to mitigate the pernicious effects of the globalisation process.
We are also called to align our strategic plans to fight absolute poverty and other governmental programmes to NEPAD and the millennium development goals. We must not spare energies in the search for solutions to the external debt problem nor be complacent in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Each and every one of us must contribute to the success of NEPAD, for it symbolises the triumph of our collective undertaking to promote sustainable development of the Continent.
We have defined this century as "The African Century". Today, we have the advantage of being better-equipped and more united to assert our aspirations. If we were victorious yesterday, despite great obstacles and adversities, nothing will prevent us from succeeding in the future.
The natural and human resources that we have and the great capital of faith and determination that drive us, is an added value. Therefore, all Africans, regardless of where they are, must let themselves get infected by the certainty of success and give their best selves in the efforts for the development of Africa.
Each one of us faces the noble challenge and responsibility of ensuring that future generations will live in a Continent free from the spectrum of hunger, wars and diseases. We must therefore engage ourselves in mobilising support for Africa and learn from the experience of other partners which may guarantee the success of the programmes we design for the Continent.
The African Diaspora has a role to play in this process. It must be the image and the beat of Africa wherever it is. It must think of itself as an important network of advocates and ambassadors of Africa. It must turn the opportunities provided by its life experience into a vantage point that is of interest of the mother land.
While acknowledging that is upon us that lay the main responsibility to develop our Continent, we would welcome a more positive attitude from the international community. We expect it to support us and to pool together with us in the building of a more stable and harmonious world. After all, the global village in which we live in will not be safe for a few of us, if it is not safe and stable for all of us. In the long run, no island of progress and stability will be sustainable if it is surrounded by an ocean of misery, of those without a present and without a future.
The journey might be long, but I have no doubt that many victories are ahead of us. We may not live long enough to witness them, as we do witness the triumph of the cause embraced by the founding fathers. As a matter of fact, it is not always that those who dare to initiate a great undertaking have the chance to conclude it.
We must, however, work hard and do our best to be found deserving, from the future generations, of the same appreciation we make today of the mentors of the African unity. Together we will succeed. The struggle still continues.
Thank you very much!
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