AFRICA must “realize the dream of the founding fathers for a peaceful, prosperous and united Africa.”
This was the message that heralded the 21st summit of the African Union, which opened in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
The summit with the theme, “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance’’, is scheduled to hold from May 19 to May 27 .
The summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the 10th anniversary of the African Union (AU).
At the opening of the 26th ordinary session of the PRC, its Chairperson, Amb. Kongit Sinegiorgis, said OAU/AU 50th anniversary was the defining moment for the organisation.
“We reflect on how far we have come and chart a new vision for our future.
“Of course, we all know the last 50 years have been fraught with many challenges but through it all, we are very proud of our achievements.
“Fifty years ago, much of Africa was still under the yoke of colonialism and Apartheid: Today, it is gratifying to note that our continent has been liberated from all forms of subjugation.
“Sinegiorgis, who is also Ethiopia’s representative at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said the major task ahead was the socio-economic emancipation of the African continent.
“I hope that the present and future generations of Africans would rise up to the challenge to realise the dream of the founding fathers for a peaceful and prosperous and united Africa.
“She said the PRC would, within the two days, consider the draft proclamation for adoption by the 21st ordinary session of the AU Assembly.
According to the chairperson, the committee will also review the AU strategic plan for 2014 to 2017 which was adopted by the 14th extraordinary session of the Executive Council held on April 8.
“We will also consider the AUC 2014 draft budget together with the report of the PRC budget sub-committee and their recommendations for subsequent adoption by our ministers.
“We have already considered the report of the commission on the post-2015 Development Agenda together with the African Common Position on the issue and modalities for the establishment of a committee of Heads of state and Government,’’ `Sinegiorgis said.
NAN reports that the PRC is expected to review the report of the Advisory Sub-Committee on Administrative, Budgetary and Financial Matters and consider the Draft Budget for 2014.
The committee will also consider the report of the Sub-Committee on Programmes and Conferences and together with the Draft Strategic Plan for 2014 to 2017 for the AU Commission
It is expected to prepare the report of the Sub-Committee on Structures and the Sub-Committee on the Activities on Multilateral Cooperation for the assembly’s adoption.
The PRC will equally review the report of the Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, which is headed by Nigeria’s Dr Aisha Abdullahi, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs.
It will also review the reports of the Sub-Committees on Contributions, including the review of the statutory contributions of some Island States, economic and trade matters.
The parliament is also expected to discuss NEPAD, Special Emergency Fund for Draught and Famine in Africa as well as the report of the sub-committee on Audit matters.
Seventy-five heads of state and government and 450 journalists from Africa and beyond are expected to attend the summit.
The OAU was founded on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa on a signature of the OAU Charter by representatives of 32 governments, including Nigeria, while 21 states joined gradually over the years.
South Africa became the 53rd member on May 23, 1994 after the first multi-racial elections that ushered in Dr Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected black African president of the rainbow nation.
South Sudan became the 54th state to join the AU after securing independence from The Sudan on July 9, 2011.
The OAU was formed to promote the unity and solidarity of African states, coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa.
The OAU transmuted into the AU following the adoption of the Act of the African Union during the Lomé Summit of the OAU on July 11, 2000, with the establishment of the African Union Commission in 2003.