As the continent prepares for Africa Day celebrations, the 61st celebrations, it is high time for a damscus moment for Africans to start to empirically examine the success of the continent against the aspirations of the founding fathers.
Africans should start to examine abusive terrorism and counterterrorism operations, weak rule of law institutions, election-related abuses, mismanagement and corruption that fuel high unemployment rates especially among the youth, poverty, and inequality among others.
Failure to recognise basic economic and social rights such as the rights to food or health as well as legal rights are so rampant in Africa and the citizens of the continent should withbone accord start to demand respect for these and other rights.
There is high level of conflict-driven migration, underfunded and underperforming education and health systems, and underbudgeted social security programs, but still Africans are celebrating Africa Day.
Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity OAU (now known as the African Union) on 25 May, in 1963.
On 25 May, Africa in 1963, African nations came together to form the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union (AU).
Every year, the 25 of May is a day to celebrate the many successes and progress made throughout the continent of Africa while also recognising each nation’s challenges.
Although there are many common challenges, Africa is not a monolith; it is complex and diverse, with over 1.2 billion people speaking over 3,000 languages in 54 countries.
Africans face unique challenges, but each year, the AU chooses a theme to help guide nations towards a common goal.
The 2024 theme of Africa Day is “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.”
The day formally known as African freedom day and then African Liberation day, has its origin in the collective African resistance to colonialism and economic exploitation.
The day was, and is, intended to highlight Africa’s continued collective struggle against adversity.
It is a day to celebrate how far Africa has come against the odds and to recognise how much more needs to be done to ensure that all Africans can live healthy and happy lives.
As things glaringly appear, there is nothing new to celebrate on Africa Day, the Day should be taken as a day of commisserating Africa’s lack of development.