--- title: 'African Union celebrates Africa Day' url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/african-union-celebrates-africa-day/' author: 'Awais Habib' date: '2023-05-25T15:56:21+05:00' categories: - 'Africa' - 'International Days' - 'News' --- # African Union celebrates Africa Day **Addis Ababa, 25 May 2023**: The African Union is celebrating Africa Day. The day marks the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union (AU) in 2002. ##### **Remembering African Heroes and Acknowledging the Role of Women** To mark the anniversary, the AU is remembering the Pan-African, anti-colonial, and Liberation movements in Africa. The Organization celebrates revolutionary leaders like Nelson Mandela, Huda Sharawi, Steve Biko, Jean Martin Cisse, and Robert Mugabe. The important role of women in the freedom struggle of Africa is also the theme of the day this year. ** This [#AfricaDay](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfricaDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) we remember the often-forgotten women of Africa’s independence movement instrumental in fighting [#apartheid](https://twitter.com/hashtag/apartheid?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) & to end colonial rule & encourage you to learn more about them and Share with us female heroes from Africa’s liberation movements [#OurAfricaOurFuture](https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurAfricaOurFuture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) — African Union (@_AfricanUnion) [May 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion/status/1661643265014374401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > This [#AfricaDay](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfricaDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) we remember men & women at the forefront of [#PanAfricanism](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanAfricanism?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#AfricanUnity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfricanUnity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#Anticolonlialism](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anticolonlialism?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#Antiaparthied](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Antiaparthied?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#LiberationMovements](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiberationMovements?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). > > > Share your memories of Africa’s liberation heroes and visionaries [#OurAfricaOurFuture](https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurAfricaOurFuture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > > Learn more:- [https://t.co/8cAa0lNlkI](https://t.co/8cAa0lNlkI) > > > — African Union (@_AfricanUnion) [May 24, 2023](https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion/status/1661454520440717312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Achievements of OAU and AU** On the occasion of the day, the  African Union is also shedding light on OAU and AU’s achievements over the past 60 years. OAU, the predecessor of the African Union, played a key role in the independence struggle of multiple African countries, which included South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, and Comoros Islands. The OAU established the Coordinating Committee for the Liberation of African countries from colonial rule in 1963. The committee provided diplomatic, financial, and logistical aid to African countries for their freedom struggles. The OAU also initiates action against the apartheid regimes of South Africa, Rhodesia, and Namibia in the International Court of Justice. The OAU played a significant role in safeguarding the territorial integrity of African countries, notably Guinea against Portugal. The OAU also played an important role in mediating border disputes between African countries under the auspices of the Commission on Mediation, Conciliation, and Arbitration. The Commission settled the border disputes between Morocco-Algeria, Somalia-Ethiopia, and Gabon-Equatorial Guinea. To promote socio-economic development, the OAU established the African Economic Community. [Multiple charters and treaties were also signed](https://au.int/en/treaties/) under the auspices of OAU to establish Africa’s legal sovereignty and institutions for the well-being of the people of Africa. ##### **Celebrations Worldwide** African Missions of countries across the globe and international institutions are commemorating Africa Day. ** 🎉Happy Africa Day! As a proud partner of the [@_AfricanUnion](https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), we are thrilled to join the celebration of [#AfricaDay](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfricaDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). On this special day, we reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the African Union to build the Africa that all its people want.[#OurAfricaOurFuture](https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurAfricaOurFuture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/dqtUfPiKtB](https://t.co/dqtUfPiKtB) — GIZ African Union (@GIZAfricanUnion) [May 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/GIZAfricanUnion/status/1661652720107810819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Happy [#AfricaDay2023](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfricaDay2023?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@_AfricanUnion](https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and all Member States across the African continent! Norway 🇳🇴 remains a consistent partner for Africa. We look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation on common priorities for a brighter, more inclusive future for all! [@NorwayMFA](https://twitter.com/NorwayMFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/Fnh0yZy7jw](https://t.co/Fnh0yZy7jw) > > > — Norway | African Union (@NorwayAU) [May 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/NorwayAU/status/1661650463165390850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Background of Formation of AU** In 1958 at the all-African People’s Conference in Ghana, the speakers from West African nations highlighted racism and colonialism, which were prevalent at that time in Africa. The speakers called on the African nations to stand up against colonialism and racism and take part in the Liberation struggle. **Also Read**: [Algeria joins African Union Executive Council session](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/algeria-joins-african-union-executive-council-session/) The Pan-African Freedom Movement of East and Central Africa was launched in 1958 to campaign for the independence of East and West African countries and against White minority rule. Later on, the Casablanca group and Monrovia group were founded in 1961. Both groups advocated for economic integration and political unity between the African countries. In 1963 African leaders Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nassar convened a meeting of newly independent African countries in Addis Ababa. The meeting led to the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The Organization became African Union (AU) in 2002. The AU plays an active role in the African affairs.