JEDDAH, 25 May 2007 — Expatriates were present in large numbers to celebrate the 44th anniversary of Africa Day at a ceremony held in Jeddah on Wednesday night. Mohammed Ahmed Tayeb, director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Region, was the chief guest.
“May 25 is celebrated as African liberation day or Africa’s Independence Day,” Tekleab Kebede, consul general of Ethiopia and dean of the Group of African Consuls General, said in his welcome address.
“The commemoration of Africa Day here is to further strengthen the long standing and historical relationship between the people and governments of Africa and those of the Kingdom,” Kebede, who is also dean of all international consuls general here, said.
Africa is rich in natural and human resources.
The prevailing opportunities of investment, trade and tourism in Africa is immense.
The study of the UN Conference on Trade and Development indicates that investment returns in Africa are very high because of its abundant natural resources and competitive workforce, he said and urged Saudi businessmen to invest in the continent.
Currently, the continent is experiencing a renaissance. Since its inception, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) achieved a great deal in the liberalization of the continent, affirmation of a common identity and provided a framework for collective action.
“But we also know that we have a long way to go,” Kebede said.
“To take up the multifaceted challenges that confront our continent, the OAU was replaced by African Union (AU) in 2002. It was designed to equip the body with efficient tools to enable it to speed up the process of achieving political economic, social and cultural progress. It is an important process in light of the need for continental structure better suited to the challenges of the 21st century and globalization, and toward realizing the goal of Africa’s renaissance,” he said.
“Even though there are isolated spots of tension and conflict, great progress has already been done in the quest for peace, security and stability in Africa,” Kebede added.
