Proud to be part of Africa, Libya salutes AU and member states on Africa Day

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya is proud of its membership of Africa and its support for the process of development and complementarity between countries of the continent, the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day on 25 May.

The north African country also congratulated the African Union (AU) and all member-countries for the commemoration of this day, an expression of the founding fathers' will to unite their efforts and visions for the rebirth of the African continent.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Libyan Foreign ministry noted that this phase of the continent's history was crowned by great and ambitious steps embodied by the expansion of the structures of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The phase was also marked by the achievement of a qualitative evolution in African continental action through the announcement of the rebirth of the African Union (AU) in Sirte on 9 September, 1999, and what followed in terms of serious measures that never stopped in all areas to achieve prosperity and welfare for African peoples.

Indeed, according to the statement, the will of the African peoples has been manifested through the AU in the implementation of practical measures and strategic plans to get on the development train, overcome the challenges and obstacles that have plagued the continent to achieve a qualitative evolution commensurate with the sacrifices of the peoples of the continent by adopting the Africa 2063 agenda.

The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled Libya's pride in belonging to the African continent through its positions as the second vice-president of the AU, the president of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU-Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia), the second vice-president of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the president of the North African Regional Capacity for the Preservation of Peace and Security (NARC).

These regional groupings and mechanisms are complementary to the AU's role in promoting the African continent, so as to achieve stability, self-reliance and independence for the continent and its peoples through strong and effective institutions that can accelerate social and economic development and continental complementarity as well as the objectives and aspirations of the AU's agendas.

The statement said Africa was proud of its institutions and continental components which spoke with one voice and had become a strong partner that could be counted on.

It also said Africa was strong in respecting its will and non-interference in its internal affairs and in its participation in the management of international affairs through interaction with regional, continental and international unions as well as its intention to obtain permanent representation in the UN Security Council.

The African continent is celebrating World Africa Day on Wednesday, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the signing of the agreements of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May, 1963, before being replaced in 1999 by the current African Union (AU).

-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/RA 25May2022