The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr Mahmoud Youssouf, has reiterated the urgent need for Africans to liberate themselves from the grips of conflict, underdevelopment, and war.
In a statement commemorating Africa Day 2025, Mr Youssouf emphasised the importance of justice, unity, and collective progress among AU member states.
Mr Nuur Sheekh, spokesperson for the Chairperson, disclosed that Mr Youssouf used the occasion to reflect on the continent’s historical journey, urging bold actions towards achieving a fair and prosperous future.
“This year’s theme, ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations’, pays tribute to the memory of those who endured the atrocities of slavery and colonialism,” he said.
“It also upholds the rights of Africans and the diaspora to truth, justice, and reparation. Justice and reparations are long overdue. Africa cannot continue to be defined by the suffering of its past.
“Africans continue to make sacrifices in their pursuit of freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is resolutely building a future grounded in peace, prosperity, and integration.”
Mr Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strategic advantages, including its youthful and expanding population, vast arable land, mineral wealth, and rich renewable energy resources. He noted that with the population projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa is not only the continent of the future but also a pivotal force in global transformation.
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He commended the resilience shown by African economies, many of which recorded macroeconomic stability and even double-digit growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He further praised the innovation and leadership of African youth and women in driving positive change across communities.
On Africa’s place in global governance, Mr Youssouf cited the continent’s membership of the G20 as both a deserved milestone and an acknowledgement of its global significance.
“It is our responsibility as Africans to safeguard our resources and to prioritise value addition through transformative initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must cease to be an afterthought in global geopolitics,” he said.
“Let us reaffirm our shared values and take ownership of our future on the world stage. Pan-Africanism was born from the hopes and resolve of our people, supported by strategic vision. We must honour this legacy through decisive and united action.”
Mr Youssouf urged Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to embrace their identity with pride, pursue justice with determination, and take charge of shaping the continent’s destiny.
