27 May 2005: No 26/05

CELEBRATING AFRICA DAY IN THE TRUE SENSE OF AFRICANISM

The people of south Africa and the DOD joined the rest of the African continent to celebrate Africa Day on 25 May 2005.

This day marked the 42nd anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Later, in 2002, President Thabo Mbeki spearheaded a change of name to African Union (AU) within the framework of NEPAD principles.

The establishment of the AU and its institutions to promote peace and security on the continent is a source of justifiable pride for the rest of the continent. 

Among these institutions, the Pan-African Parliament and the Peace and Security Council have been important achievements.

In promoting peace and stability on the African continent, the DOD has deployed personnel of the SANDF as part of the UN/AU troop detachment in the DRC, Burundi, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Liberia and the Sudan.

This is being done in support of South African foreign policy, which is aimed at realising democracy and lasting peace on the continent.

The other recent development to be celebrated this year is the adoption of the new Constitution in the DRC, which will replace the current Transitional Constitution of the DRC.

The approval of this Constitution inspired the entire continent to believe that peace could be achieved.

An important milestone in the DRC Constitution is the inclusion of the provision that guarantees gender parity.

This achievement is not reflected in any other Constitution anywhere in the world.

The SANDF will continue this important engagement as part of its international duty to help advance Africa’s renewal.