African Union celebrates 50th anniversary
Heads of state attending African Union's 50th anniversary welcome Chinese investment and pledge to tackle conflict and poverty
China was thanked yesterday for its massive wave of investment across Africa as the continent's leaders opened extravagant celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the African Union.
Africa's leaders were gathering in the AU's modern, Chinese-built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital to mark the founding of an organisation that helped liberate Africa from its colonial masters and which is now trying to stay relevant on a continent regularly troubled by conflict.
Opening the celebrations, African Union Chairman and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn acknowledged Beijing's growing influence on the continent, expressing his "deepest appreciation to China for investing billions … to assist our infrastructure endeavours."
Today's 54-member AU is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963 in the heady days when independence from colonial rule was sweeping the continent.
"While our founders met for the formation of the OAU at the dawn of the independence period 50 years ago, it is fitting that we are meeting here today at a time when Africa is rising," Hailemariam added.
He told leaders they should seek to "create a continent free from poverty and conflict, and an Africa whose citizens enjoy a middle-income status."
Leaders said the celebrations would boost support for pan-Africanism, nodding their heads as the classic reggae hit You're an African by late Jamaican singer Peter Tosh played in the crowded hall in Addis Ababa.