Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Dean of African Ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe and Rwandese envoy James Musoni yesterday said the upcoming 63rd Africa Day commemorations are meant to promote Pan-Africanism and decolonisation.
Ambassador Musoni made the remarks in Harare at a joint media briefing with the Ambassadors of Algeria and Ethiopia, saying Africa Day was a platform to keep alive the sacrifices the continent’s fathers made in the 1960s underpinned by their aspirations of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa.
He rallied all Africans to work hard together to ensure their dignity and values enable attainment of the continent’s goals.
“In 1963, about 32 heads of State gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The gathering was to create unity for Africa and be able to resist colonialism, but also to care for other African countries that had not yet managed to get independence.
“It was not only about independence, it was also about prosperity, it was about unity, it was about supporting each other, working together, promoting cultural exchange, promoting Pan-Africanism so that as a continent we could survive colonialism, which very harsh. This was also to promote integration and socio-economic transformation,” Ambassador Musoni said.
He called on Africans to reflect on how they can decolonise minds and find ways to address continental challenges.
“We need to reflect on how we can decolonise our minds, look at the way we think and do our things when addressing our challenges while using our own infrastructure and not former colonial masters’,” Ambassador Musoni added.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador Rashid Mohammed Abdulwahid the Pan-African agenda of the African union feeds into the support the continent has put behind Zimbabwe’s bid as a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“The bid by Zimbabwe to secure a seat in the UNSC dovetails with the mantra of our founding leaders of the African union and Pan-Africanism. Because the vision of the founding fathers was to realise that Africa speaks with one voice, and then collectively address the challenges that we encounter on the continent. And at the same time, gain a rightful position at the global forums for Africa.
“Because currently we are more than 1,2 billion in population and we need to have a rightful position so that our voice as Africans can be heard. Now Zimbabwe’s request is just one step towards that goal,” Ambassador Abdulwahid said.
Ambassador Mohamed Seoudi of Algeria said all African countries were supporting Zimbabwe’s bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat whose elections for the 2027-2028 rotational term are set for June 3.
