What is Africa Day?

During the period from 1958 to 1963, seventeen African countries managed to free themselves politically from colonial rule. Due to this development and in order to assist in the liberation of other African states, in 1963 32 African countries met in Ethiopia to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The purpose of this organization was to guarantee the economic and political stability and development of all African nations.

Since its inception, the rest of the African countries gradually joined the OAU as they gained independence: each newly liberated African country then joined the OAU and the cause. This continued to happen over the years until June 1994, when South Africa gained its political independence.

In 2002, the OAU was dissolved and replaced by the African Union, which was established in 2001. Currently, the AU has 54 member countries. Morocco is the only African country that is not a member of the union, after leaving in 1984. There are other member states from outside the African continent that are considered observer members. These include Kazakhstan, Palestine, Latvia, Turkey, Serbia, and Haiti. The only suspended member is the Central African Republic after a civil war that started in 2012.

Although there have been conflicts within the African continent, there have been great achievements in terms of peace and unity, particularly between the 1950s and the end of colonial oppression. It is because of this unity that the members of the OAU considered it appropriate to inaugurate Africa Day.

Africa Day is a celebration of the formation of the OAU on May 25, 1963, a vital part of African history. During that time, it was called Africa Liberation Day. It is celebrated on May 25 of each year. Although Africa Day is celebrated by every nation on the continent, only six countries celebrate it as a public holiday: Ghana, Mali, Namibia, Zambia, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

Africa Day has become more than just an anniversary of the formation of the OAU and ultimately the AU: it has become a celebration of the African people and African unity. All over the world, the people of the continent celebrate by coming together and organizing celebrations in different ways. In some parts of the world, African communities join local groups and share the festivities in the form of parades, sporting events, food festivals, concerts, fashion shows, comedy shows, musical performances or dances. Some take the time to learn about different African cultures by visiting museums or attending conferences.