AASU Urges For Selflessness And Sincere Commitment To The Unity Of The Continent

In 1963, May 25 was earmarked as an African Sabbath to memorialize the unification of Africa, an intent which resulted in the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU). The raison d’etre of the AU is to put an end to the balkanization of the continent, the exploitation of its resources; re-unite and propel the countries created by the colons on the path of sustainable development.

There is no gainsaying that Africa has achieved immense successes with the coming into being of AU which has served as a platform for African leaders to exchange ideas and experiences. The AU has also served as a common platform for taking collective decisions aimed at Africa’s development through the promotion of its identity and unity. The youth who constitute the majority of Africa's population (65%) have in recent times been given more attention by African leaders hence the theme of this year's Africa Day Celebration: “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth”.

As we journey to 2063, it has become increasingly evident that our concerted efforts yield more fruits than our individual endeavours.

The AU has planned, through Agenda 2063, to enable Africans of all creeds and backgrounds to be capable of realizing and using all their potentials for the advancement of their continent and the betterment of their own living conditions. All the laudable ideas and decisions of the AU are in the right direction but must be supported with concrete actions.

As we celebrate Africa Day, despaired and disillusioned young Africans continue to leave the shores of the continent at the peril of their life in search for better living conditions elsewhere. In this quest, many have met their untimely and painful death in the Sahara desert, Mediterranean Sea and in vessel containers, just to mention a few. These disasters have become so common that reports of their recurrence is considered no news but registers as normal in our ears.

The AU must be empowered to deal decisively with the situations on our continent that bother on human security and establish tenets to prevent their possible recurrence in the future. For the realization of a formidable AU, African leaders and governments must begin to play the selfless roles expected of them.The interest of the masses of their people must reign supreme over all personal and parochial interests. The clarion call to fully support the AU by all African countries must be heeded as a civic duty and a patriotic responsibility.

Further, Africa's youth of today must be engendered to take responsibility for their future now and be indoctrinated to act as men of thought while thinking as men of action. Beyond this, there is no greater investment to be made in the youth of Africa.

AASU invites all its members to continue to ponder and create awareness on the need for the political, social, economic and cultural integration of African countries.

Long live African Unity!
Signed:
Peter Kwasi KODJIE
Secretary General
All-Africa Students Union (AASU)
Email: [email protected]