By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
ADDIS ABABA
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for justice, accountability, and sustainable development in Africa as the continent celebrates her 62nd Africa Day.
The annual commemoration highlights the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963, a body that later evolved into the African Union (AU).
In a statement to mark the Africa Day, UN Secretary-General Guterres used the urged the international community to reflect on Africa’s colonial past and the socio-economic inequalities that persist.
“Let us recommit to not only addressing past wrongs, but also to building a sustainable future for the people of Africa grounded in peace, dignity, and opportunity for all,” Guterres said in a statement.
He further called for “reparatory justice that is grounded in accountability, reconciliation and equity,” stressing the need for global responsibility in addressing the historical legacies that have affected Africa’s development.
This year’s Africa Day is being observed under the theme “Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future”. Celebrations were held on Saturday May 24, at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. However, there are ongoing political addresses, cultural events, and panel discussions in several capitals, including Abuja, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
During the commemoration, the African Union Commission reiterated its commitment to the Agenda 2063 framework, which aims to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future through inclusive and sustainable development.
Africa Day is officially recognized by all African Union member states and serves both as a celebration of the continent’s progress and a reminder of the work still to be done in areas such as conflict resolution, economic inequality, youth unemployment, and climate resilience.
While the day was marked with optimism, civil society groups also used the moment to press governments for more accountability and to prioritize human rights, democratic governance, and anti-corruption efforts.
