A group of African ambassadors called on African nations and member states of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to intensify efforts to forge closer bilateral relations and to boost African-Arab cooperation in several promising sectors including politics and economy. The ambassadors were speaking during the Africa Day celebrations organized by the Tunisian Embassy here yesterday, which primarily focused on Saudi-African ties and Afro-Arab cooperation.
“Celebrating Africa Day is an opportunity to remind you of the historical ties between nations of the African continent and Saudi Arabia," said Djibouti Ambassador Dyaeddin Said Bamakhrama, who is also the dean of the African Diplomatic Corps. Tunisian Ambassador Nejib Mnif, who was the host of the luncheon press conference, introduced the guests and spoke about the progressively growing Saudi-African relations with special reference to the need to boost cooperation in political and economic fields.
Mali Ambassador Mohamed Mahmoud B. Labat, Sierra Leone Ambassador Wusu B. Munu and Kenyan Ambassador Mohamud Ali Saleh addressed reporters on this occasion. A large number of diplomats from African countries were also present during the press briefing. Prominent among them were Toure Vazoumana, Cote D'Ivoire ambassador; Mahmoud A. Al-Shakl, charge d' affaires at the Libyan embassy; and Alhaji M. B. Jalloh, Information Attache at Sierra Leone.
Referring to the growth of Africa, Bamakhrama said the continent is now on the way to achieving a true revival, global development and the achievement of the aspirations of the founding fathers of the African Unity Organization. He recalled that May 25 is celebrated as Africa day since 1963, when the leaders of African countries met in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, in a historical meeting for the establishment of the organization.
"In order to consolidate the role of the organization, the African leaders agreed in 1999 to convert the organization to an African Union, which forms the driving force for the development of a series of regional institutions such as the Pan-African Parliament, Peace and Security Council and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to reflect the desire of Africa to stabilize the permanent values of peace, human rights, good governance and sustainable development," he added.
"As we celebrate Africa Day this year, we have again the opportunity to reflect on the significance of this day," said Nejib. “It is appropriate to reflect on our common identity as Africans and look toward the strong links existing between us despite our cultural and ethnic diversity,” he added. The day of Africa also allows each year an opportunity to discuss progress on the African continent, assessment of the problems it faces and think about the enormous unexploited potentials it owns, he noted.
"We as representatives of the peoples of the African continent accredited to Saudi Arabia emphasize that the Kingdom is linked with the countries of the continent through special and historical relationships," he observed. “These relationships keep growing due to cooperation and continuous support extended by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah", said the Tunisian envoy. The hosting of the Gulf African Investment Conference in Riyadh a year back is one of the best examples of the African-Arab partnership, said Sierra Leone Ambassador Munu.
Referring to the strong ties between GCC as a bloc and Africa, Munu said this initiative will promote cooperation between the African and the Gulf states at a time when major countries of the world are looking for available investment opportunities in the African continent. "From this perspective, we hope that the African/Gulf cooperation will attract long-term trade and agricultural partnerships," he added.
He pointed out great efforts were being exerted to establish an African free trade area, which may allow the Gulf to benefit from it and to access the African markets with no barriers.
African diplomats seek stronger Afro-Arab ties
