Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 24 May 2025 (SPS) – The Sahrawi Embassy in Addis Ababa and Permanent Mission to the African Union, actively participated today in the official celebration of Africa Day 2025, held at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This year’s celebration marks the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU, under the theme: "Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future."
The Sahrawi diplomatic mission joined representatives of AU Member States, the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), AU Organs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), civil society, and the diaspora in commemorating this historic milestone. The participation reaffirmed the SADR’s enduring commitment to the ideals of Pan-Africanism, unity, and the right of African peoples to self-determination and justice.
The official program, which began at 10:00 a.m., featured high-level statements from the Chairperson of the AU Commission H.E. Mahmoud Youssef, Ethiopian officials, as well as diplomatic and civil society representatives.
The commemoration highlighted the importance of historical redress, reparatory justice, and the need to anchor Africa’s cultural heritage and memory in future-oriented development strategies. It also called on Member States to strengthen solidarity and deepen intergenerational dialogues, particularly involving African youth and the diaspora.
In addition to the formal statements, the event included an exhibition, cultural performances, group photography, and media engagements. These activities provided a platform to showcase Africa’s diversity and celebrate its collective resilience and creative potential.
The Sahrawi delegation took this opportunity to engage with fellow African diplomats and reaffirm the Sahrawi people’s continued struggle for decolonization and full sovereignty, in line with the principles of the AU Charter and the legacy of the OAU’s anti-colonial stance.
The Sahrawi stand exhibited brief information on the Sahrawi Republic, its legal status, the Sahrawi natural resources, culture, and people. The Sahrawi Embassy also exhibited some paintings, and distributed some symbolic gifts, basically T-Shirts and Caps.
The event was also broadcast live via Zoom and Vimeo, allowing for broad continental and international participation. (SPS)
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