Africa Day

  Africa Day, observed annually on 25 May, marks the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963—an historic moment that codified the vision of African nations for unity, self-determination, and socio-political liberation. This commemoration is a strategic moment for advancing the African Union’s Pan-African policy agenda and renewing the continent’s commitment to the integration and renaissance as stipulated in the Agenda 2063. The 2025 commemoration assumes exceptional significance under the 2025 African Union Theme of the Year: “ Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations ,” as adopted through Assembly Decisions 884. In this context, the 2025 theme, “ Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future ,” anchors the celebration in both remembrance and transformation by connecting the historical struggles against enslavement, colonialism, and systemic exploitation with contemporary movements for reparatory justice and equitable global partnersh...

  The Africa Day 2025 commemoration seeks to: • Promote the AU 2025 Theme of the Year , positioning reparations and historical redress within AU frameworks for peacebuilding, development, and global advocacy. • Facilitate high-level dialogue on innovative and implementable policy pathways for achieving reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent. • Celebrate Africa’s diverse cultural heritage as both a repository of memory and a dynamic driver of healing, innovation, and sustainable development. • Foster intergenerational and diaspora dialogues that bridge past struggles with future aspirations, allowing youth, artists, civil society, and thought leaders to co-create inclusive narratives of justice, identity, and transformation. • Reaffirm Member States’ commitment to Pan-African solidarity, resilience, and the cultural and intellectual revival of the continent.

Excellences Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs, Excellence Mesdames et Messieurs, La Commémoration de la journée de l’Afrique en ce 25 mai 2025 est un moment de souvenir et de de communion entre tous les africains. Certes, des souvenirs et une histoire, souvent douloureuse, ancienne et contemporaine, remontent à la surface. Cette année le thème choisi par nos dirigeants est « La justice pour les africains et les personnes d’ascendance africaine à travers des réparations ». Réparations pour crimes commis durant les périodes d’esclavage et de colonisation contre des dizaines de millions d’Africains. D’ailleurs, justice qui n’est toujours pas rendue, réparations qui tardent à venir. Cependant, l’Afrique ne se morfond pas dans les blessures et les amertumes du passé. L’Afrique continue à consentir des sacrifices encore et encore, afin de se libérer des affres des conflits et du sous-développement et des guerres. En effet, l’Afrique se construit depuis lors, lentement mais sûrement : « ...

Fellow Africans; Estime Leaders; Brothers and Sisters of the African Continent.... H.E. John Dramani Mahama ; President of Ghana.

Dear Sisters and Brothers form Africa...  H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola.

The African Union commemorates Africa Day 2025 with a renewed call to justice, unity, and shared progress . Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future. This year’s theme, “ Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations ,” will honor the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism , while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration. “While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.” He continued: “Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.” H.E. Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strateg...

As we mark Africa Day 2025 , under the African Union’s theme “ Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations ”, we are reminded that justice is not a destination—It is a continuous demand for truth, for dignity, and for leadership that reflects the realities of our people. As the continent reflects on justice and reparations, its greatest promise lies in the leadership, resilience, and the rising power of its women and youth. History rarely remembers those who waited quietly. In Africa, it is those who dare to act, to resist, to lead, and to dream aloud who have shaped the continent’s most defining moments. Now more than ever, that demand must be inclusive. The Africa We Want , as envisioned in Africa’s Agenda 2063 , cannot be built without the full power of its majority: its women and youth. Yet these very groups— the bearers of innovation and agents of transformation—remain disproportionately underrepresented, underfunded, and undervalued. Statistica...

WHAT : The African Union will be celebrating its 62nd anniversary marking the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU)  (1963-2025). Theme: “Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future”. WHEN : Saturday 24th May 2025 starting from 10:00am WHERE : The commemoration will be celebrated in at the African Union headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Register Virtually through zoom!    Watch the livestream! Media opportunities: Statements by: the Chairperson of the African Union, the Chairperson of the AU Commission (AUC), Heads of State and Government, Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ethiopia, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent the President of the African Union Staff Association among others. The day will also be marked with: • Exhibition, entertainment and cultural showcases • Media interviews • Group photo WHO: The Commemoration of th...

Draft Agenda of the 2025 AFRICA DAY Commemoration  on Saturday, 24 MAY 2025 at the African Union Headquarters.  09:45 – 10:00 Arrival and Anthems  • Arrival of dignitaries  • National Anthem of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and AU Anthem o Director of Protocol  10:00 – 11:15 Official Opening Ceremony  • Welcome remarks o Master of Ceremonies  • Special Tribute: “The Journey to the African Union Theme of the Year” video montage  • Statement by African Union Staff Association o Mr. Nouhou Thiam  • Statement by the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent o H.E Ambassador Martin Kimani,  • Statement by UNESCO o Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Head of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the AUC and ECA and Rep. to Ethiopia (TBC)  • Statement by the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Ethiopia o H.E Youssouf Mondoha Assoumani, Ambassador of the Union of Comoros to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the AU. • State...