Gaborone (Botswana) 26 May 2022 (SPS)- African High Commissions and Embassies accredited to Botswana celebrated Africa Day, this afternoon in Travel Lodge, Gaborone, in the presence of representative of Botswana Government, International diplomatic Missions and some 200 invitees from different institutions, organisations and media.
The opening ceremony was an opportunity for the Dean of the Africa group and Ambassador of Angola to Botswana, H.E. Mrs. Beatriz Antónia Manuel de Morais, who stressed the importance of the event emphasizing the principles upon which African unity was built, recalling the theme chosen by the African Union for 2022 celebration of the Day, “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent.”
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Botswana and High Commissioner of Mozambique to Botswana, H.E. Mr. Domingos Fernandes, took the audience through the history of the Africanism, and the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union.
On his side, the official representative of Botswana government, Honourable Mr. Kabo Morwaeng, Minister for Presidential Affairs, gave the official opening of the event, stressing in his address the importance of celebrating Africa Day to reflect on African achievements, challenges, and strong cultural diversity and heritage.
He recalled the history of the unification of African nations under the umbrella of the African Union, emphasizing the sacrifices and wisdom of the founding fathers of the AU, who left a formidable legacy, he said, in the fight for economic and political emancipation of Africa.
In this regards, he indicated that “as the AU continues with its unwavering stand on principles of self-determination, freedom and political independence, among others, which are key to socio-economic development; we must also determine the extent to which we have lived up to these values.”
He implored all Africans “to continue to speak with one voice and support those among us who continue to be denied full actualisation of these very same fundamental principles. Regrettably, today we still have some countries on the Continent that have not attained their political independence and self-determination, such as the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.”
He finally considered that Africans “must therefore rectify this anomaly by calling for their political emancipation through the African Union, the United Nations and other relevant bodies.”
The Saharawi Embassy, like the rest of African Missions, participated in this event with a stand showcasing some aspects of the Saharawi culture, music, clothing and political reality.
The event was also an opportunity for African Embassies to present their national food, attire and arts. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)