To actualize a united and affluent Africa, implementing the agenda 2063 to the letter must come atop the catalog of action plans was what was reiterated when the 60th anniversary of the then OAU and the now AU got celebrated in Addis Ababa the day before yesterday.
This is in the same wavelength with the messages PM Abiy conveyed on the event. It is heartening to note that after a tough fight, from time-to-time, member countries of AU are winning credence and finding their niche in a multitude of global arenas. Bit by bit, seeing to the observance of Africans’ rights is made possible.
Yet, this turn of events must not set the door ajar for complacence for there is a lot to be desired. For the furtherance of the continent’s acceptance and for its entitlement of heeding ears on the global arena Africa’s international representation must expand. Africa has to get a permanent seat in UN’s Security Council. Given its population size, it is long overdue Africa is granted the seat to be volubly vocal. It needs also be accorded due attention in G20 and Group7 with a proportionate representation. A coordinated action to this effect is called for.
So far Africa has been espousing the narrative concocted to it by others. Obviously, ill fit the narrative was making it obligatory for a home-grown policy as the saying goes cut your coat to your size. Working hand-in-hand for Africa’s turnaround in affluence is tantamount to translating the vision of founding fathers of OAU, established by leaders of 32 African countries that were free and independent then.
Famine, conflict, maladministration, backwardness, among others, are just to enumerate a few of the roadblocks bogging down Africa’s push for a better tomorrow. A conducive atmosphere should be facilitated for Africa inhabited by over 1 point four billion people, the majority of which are youths expected to unleash their potential for the benefit of the continent that was painted in dark hues for long.
Harnessing the natural wealth of bountiful Africa improving the livelihood of its people and rendering the investment climate savory so as to spearhead the continent’s breakaway from economic torpor is a task that could hardly be put on the backburner.
Aside from working hard, warding off conflicts or nipping them in the bud, fighting out terrorism and doing away with apparent problem are exigent. Ensuring food self-sufficiency and leveling the lopsided landscape of democracy is necessary. Simply counting the continent’s success over the past 60 years doesn’t work as there are numerous shortfalls that have to be addressed.
While marking the 60th anniversary it must be reminiscent of set agenda of 2063—silencing the gun. Minimizing internal conflicts and ironing out political wrangling round tables must be made a point. Getting people displaced by war back on their feet ought to come to the top of the table of troubleshooting hurdles confronting Africa.
If all countries contribute their share imbued by the spirit of African resilience the realization of the 2063 agenda will fall in the domain of possibility. Ethiopia to shape its narrative and via which that of Africa Union is actualizing a continental media house. This a task worth emulation in other fronts as well. The increasingly complex dynamics and the fast changing global order make the barriers impenetrable.
Hence unity to beat the odds leaps beyond a catch word to a motto of survival. The aspiration as enthused Africans must spur sons and daughters of the continent to work better than their best. Exploring the potential of Africans to unlock them for the optimization of the continent’s benefits and its transformation has to a priority task.
Africa must zero in on the productive capacity of Africa in the sphere of agriculture, industry and technology. Cutting down the chain of bureaucracies to the minimum level, combatting corruption to the point of eradication and scaling up the service delivery task are decisive steps in the sought-after direction.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 27 MAY 2023
