Africa Unite Symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia : Honour Rebel Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley 60th Birthday Celebration

Abstract

Statement by Ms. Josephine Ouedrago, Deputy Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa at the Africa Unite Symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ms Ouedrago, on her remarks highlighted that, The theme “Africa Unite” popularizes a clarion call of the first nationalists in the eighteenth century through the historic Pan African Congresses, to the early 1960s political leaders, for Africa to ignore their political boundaries and unite for common interest and realities. The African people, including governments and citizens, must work in partnership and own the process of regional integration, as epitomized in the legendary Bob Marley’s song, “Africa Unite”. Bob Marley challenged us to ignite “the fire of African self-determination with a promise to our ancestral home”. We are working with the African Union, African Development Bank and other UN agencies on many initiatives to address Africa’s challenges. These include initiatives toward reversing capital flight, brain drain and friendly employment for Africans, both in Diaspora and in the continent.