Lecture
On African Union
Venue: Waseda University, Tokyo
By H.E. Mr. Estifanos Afeworki, Ambassador of the Stateof Eritrea and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps
Date: May 24, 2018

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My name is Estifanos Afeworki. I am the Ambassador of the State of Eritrea toJapan and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps.
It is a great honor for me to be present among the President, staffs and studentsof Waseda University and distinguished guests to celebrate the Africa Day
today.
As you all know, we are all gathered here to celebrate the Africa Day andcommemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). On
May 25, 1963, the founding fathers of African leaders – 32 out of the 34
independent states in our continent came together in Addis Abeba Ethiopia tosign the Charter of OAU. It was on this day that they enshrined in this OAUCharter the inalienable right of all Africans to control: own destiny, freedom,equality, justice and dignity as essential objectives of the legitimate aspirationsof their countries and peoples.
These great African leaders, through their vision for the generations to comeafter them, have attested by their signatures and committed Africa to harness
the natural and human resources of the continent for total advancement of thepeoples of Africa in all spheres of human endeavors. Did Africa achieve thegoals chartered by these great leaders? The answer is a simple No - because ofmany challenging and head winds the continent faced in the last 45 years andbeyond. Currently, the OAU has given way to the African Union, which wasestablished on May 26, 2001, in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia to further improve andbetter serve the charter of OAU in the given prevailing situations of thecontinent and our planet.
On the 18th century: Africa was a destination of the Agrarian Revolution ofEurope (dark history in Africa because of slavery) – Europe and America’s
interest was centered in human resources (labor). More than 10 million young
people were taken by force from Africa.
On the 19th Century: Africa was a destination of the Industrial Revolution ofEurope and was also another dark history in Africa because of colonialism –Europe and America’s interest was centered in raw materials,2

On 20th Century: Africa was a destination of neo colonialism and independence(African Union has 55 member states currently) – new challenge of nationbuilding centered on universal access emerged in Africa, andOn the 21st Century: Africa became a destination for globalization - many
initiatives were introduced to facilitate the transfer of know-how, technology
and foreign direct investment from Australia, Asia, America and Europe
centered on the needs, requirements and ownership of African countries.
I am not going to dwell on this in detail here, because I am confident that all thepeople attending this seminar are more knowledgeable on such matters than me.
But it is prudent to mention here that many multilateral and bilateral spheresof diplomacy are currently rolling all over our continent i.e.: G8, G20, G70 plus 1,Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) establishedby Japan since 1993; Africa Partnership Forum established by G8 since 2003;
New Asian-African Strategic Partnership established by Non Aliened Movement
since 2003; Forum on China-Africa Cooperation established by China since2000; President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief established by President
Bush since 2003; Millennium Challenge Corporation established by Bush since2004;

Africa-EU

StrategicPartnershipestablishedbyEU-AU

since2005; Africa-Turkey Cooperation Summit, established by Turkey since 2008;
Korean Initiative for the Development of Africa established by South Korea
since 2006; Africa - South America Summit established by Brazil since 2006;
Comprehensive Health Care Initiative of Cuba to Africa established by Cuba
since2003;

SpecialTechnical

Assistance

ProgramforAfricaofPakistan established in 1986; India - Africa Forum, established by India in2008; Vietnam-Africa International Forum established in 2003, COP on
environment and climate change issues and related partnerships, the Djibouti
Code of Conduct, NPOs, NGOs and Nuclear Watchdogs are among many
phenomenal aspects of global vehicles introduced from all sides of the world toour beloved continent.
Africa offers an ideal location, resources and unlimited business opportunities
that are the true vehicle for its integration and unity of purpose. It is obviousthat the world community realizes and is cognizant of these as clearly shown in3their policy commitments that I just mentioned a few as example, which
demonstrates the upscaled private and public interest of various stakeholders
toward Africa at present.
Today, as in the past, the legitimate aspiration of all Africans is to be a partner
in regional peace, prosperity, cooperation and integration. The world has
accepted that reality and shall work; engage constructively with all Africans
towards theses ends.
Long life to African Unity and long life also the solidarity and friendship ofJapan. This is my message to the youth of Japan and all the stakeholders
gathered here today. Pan Africanism is the order of the founding fathers ofAfrica.
Thank you,4