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The African Union has initiated a drastic programme developmental for the continent, tagged: Agenda 2063, The African We Want, with the aims of fostering closer bond among the diverse tongues and people of Africa both at home and in Diaspora, and also to drive the growth and industrialization of the continent within the year in target.
According to a paper presented by Dr. Kassim Khamis from the African Union Commission, at the African Maritime Event which held in Lagos last week, Africa is a continent rich in history and in diversity and blessed with abundance human and natural resources. He said that the African Union is rededicated to an enduring Pan African Vision of realizing an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa that is driven by its own people.
The paper read in part: “We echo the Pan African call that Africa must unite in order to realize its Renaissance. Present generations are confident that the destiny of African is in their hands, and that they must act now to shape the future they want.
“Fifty years after the first 33 independent African states took a landmark decision to form the Organization of African Unity, we are looking ahead towards the next fifty years.”
Parts of the agenda includes the mobilization of peoples of Africa and their ownership of continental programmes at the core, the principle of self-reliance and African financing its own development, the importance of capable, inclusive and accountable states and institutions at all levels and in all spheres, as well as the critical role of Regional Economic Communities as building blocks for continental unity, taking into accounts of the special challenges faced by both island and land-locked states, and also holding ourselves and our governments and institutions accountable for results.
He noted however that in spite of the laudable project that the Commission has lined out, the Agenda 2063 will not happen spontaneously, but would “require conscious and deliberate efforts to nurture a transformative leadership that will drive the agenda and defend Africa’s interest.”
Dr. Khamis cited the aspirations for the Africa we want as, a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance, and an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.
Other aspirations are, a peaceful African, an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics, and also, an Africa as strong, united and influential global player and partner, Khamis reiterated.
