ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 24, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) today celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. The main event which took place at the AMISOM Conference Centre in Mogadishu was presided over by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohammed and was attended by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Mayor of the City of Mogadishu, traditional elders, the civil Society and AMISOM officials.
In his remarks during the event which was under the theme; Pan?Africanism and African Renaissance, the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the event was an opportunity for Somalia to be at the centre of fifty years of African Renaissance and provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved since the formation of the OAU.
He said; "No?one likes Pan Africanism and African Renaissance better than Somalia. This is where the whole Africa converges to support Somalia. Somalia is therefore a strong example of African cooperation. Africa has the potential to make the twenty? irst century, the African century. The African Union is a community of nations that stand side by side to find African solutions for our problems."
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif recalled that Somalia was one of the founding members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and also played a key role in the liberation of many African states. "The sacrifice by the AU peacekeeping force though difficult is therefore one way of giving back to Somalia.AMISOM is in Somalia to support the government and its people and does not intend to stay forever but will leave once peace and stability have been restored."
The European Union Ambassador to Somalia said there is no better place to celebrate 50th anniversary of the OAU than Somalia because it is in Somalia where the African UUnion has made a big difference. Main activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) will be held on Saturday May 25th at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa in which several African Heads of State and Government will be in attendance.
