Africa-Press – Lesotho. Africa does not want to continue to be just a continent waiting for support, but rather a strategic player under construction, which offers solutions for itself and for the world, the Chairman of the African Union, Angolan President João Lourenço, said Saturday, in Luanda.
In his message on the 62nd celebration of Africa Day, to be marked on Sunday, he stated that “as we look to the future on this date that we celebrate today, let us keep in mind our commitment to serve the purpose of a free, prosperous and united continent”.
He emphasized that celebrating Africa means renewing faith in its potential and capacity to overcome adversity, to affirm collective responsibility and to reinforce the commitment to sincere, respectful and ambitious cooperation.
Despite the challenges ahead, President João Lourenço expressed that African people maintain an unshakable faith in the future of Africa, which today more than ever embodies a continent of hope and optimism, driven by dynamic youth, abundant natural resources and constantly renewed creativity.
“All our hopes for an Africa that is increasingly capable of responding to the needs of its people, solving essential problems and creating prosperous living conditions come from the fact that we have a huge young population, which makes up a unique human capital, capable of innovating, transforming local economies and helping our continent and humanity to face the great challenges of the 21st century”, he explained.
João Lourenço explained that, on a daily basis, sectors such as digital technologies, renewable energies, sustainable agriculture and the cultural industry reveal Africa’s potential to restructure itself, create value and actively contribute to the global economy.
He added that this vision for a prosperous future is also based on a growing collective awareness of the need for integration, responsible governance and endogenous development.
“That is why, this year, we have chosen to launch initiatives within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to hold a major conference on infrastructure as a factor for development in Africa and other issues that contribute to the dynamization of development policies on our continent,” he explained.
Challenges
However, President Lourenço admitted that Africa has faced a series of complex challenges that are delaying its full renaissance, despite its enormous potential.
The African Union president highlighted, among these, the issue of peace and security, as he is concerned that many regions of the continent continue to experience situations of instability due to transnational terrorism and violent extremism, pointing as well the armed conflicts and intercommunal tensions, among other harmful phenomena.
He expressed particular concern about people living in conflict zones, who are often forced to flee their homes, becoming internally displaced persons or refugees in neighbouring countries and who are denied a life with a secure future.
In addition to that, João Lourenço went on to say, there are still political and institutional crises, often identified by unconstitutional changes of government and contested transitions, a weakening of the rule of law and fragile governance.
The statesman acknowledged that at the social and economic level, the continent is doing everything in its power to face the challenge related to inclusive development in an uncertain global context.
He added that despite this, several challenges still stand out, such as youth unemployment, limited access to education, health and housing, and the lack of infrastructure crucial to development, such as roads, railways, ports, airports, energy production and energy transport.
To João Lourenço, there is a very low rate of the industrialization seen in the African countries, dependence on poorly diversified economies and the effects of climate change as obstacles to achieving sustainable prosperity on the continent, as well as the growing debt of certain countries and their vulnerability to external shocks, health crises or global economic tensions, which together highlight inequalities and social fragilities.
“We are now clearly aware that these challenges require concerted responses, strong institutions and renewed political will, in line with the hopes of the peoples of our continent”, he stated.
“May this day be more than a celebration, but rather an anchor for a new era of hope and common construction, always remembering the motto of the year of the African Union: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent, through Reparations”, concluded the Angolan Head of State.
The message, presented in video format, was broadcast at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, at a celebratory event prepared for the purpose, with several instructions, which ended with the speech by the acting President of the African Union and the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço.
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