Africa Day 2023 – Message from Congo Mission in India
African states and the African Union have developed a partnership with major global economic and political powers within an established framework among which India is one of the most outstanding partner - H.E. Raymond Serge BALÉ, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to India.
Once upon a time, thirty leaders of independent African states made history by signing the charter which established the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Under the aegis of the Organisation of African Unity, Africa waged a successful fight for its self-determination and against colonialism and apartheid. Through the auspices of the African Union today, African states have engaged in the fulfilment of the Africa We Want as it is encapsulated in Agenda 2063.
On the auspicious occasion of the annual commemoration of Africa Day which marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the Africa Union, the republic of Congo, as a founding member, takes pride in reaffirming its commitment in the principles, the goals and the pan-African ideals the continental institution upholds.
The President of the Republic of Congo, HEM Denis Sassou Nguesso, has always taken up a leading role in advocating the causes of Africa, particularly when assuming the chairmanship of the continental organisation. In 1986 at the critical turning point of the fight against apartheid, he managed to mobilise the international community in establishing the Africa Fund aimed at supporting the then-African frontline states. Now he assumes the presidency of the African Union High-level committee of Head of States and Government in Libya striving for the return of peace and stability in this African country.
In engaging in building the Africa we Want, through the implementation of the Agenda 2063, Africa yearns to be a strong, united, resilient, peaceful and a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co-existence.
It is on these grounds that African states and the African Union have developed a partnership with major global economic and political powers within established framework among which India is one the most outstanding partner.
India and Africa have had historical relations that date back many centuries ago. Though historical relations concerned mainly India and East Africa, the cooperation between India has expanded to almost to all African countries. However, with the expansion of diplomatic and commercial representation, India has now developed ties with most of the African nations, as it could be appreciated through the growing number of participation of African countries in the Conclave Africa-India and on a bilateral level. Trade between India and Africa is growing fast, making India the fourth largest trading partner of Africa.
The cooperation between India and African countries in the sectors of defence and security and particularly in areas of common interest within the framework of the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) is promising. There is a prospect of strengthening cooperation in the area of solar power. The republic of Congo has been participating in all these processes with both the Indian government through lines of credit to finance economic projects and the private sector.
The 2023 Africa Day will be celebrated under the theme “The Year of AfCTA (Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation). AfCFTA is expected to bring many benefits to Africa. According to the World Bank, the AfCFTA promises broader and deeper economic integration and would attract investment, boost trade, provide better jobs, reduce poverty, and increase shared prosperity in Africa.
No doubt that the implementation of AfCFTA will boost the cooperation between India and Africa
Long live African Union
Long Live Africa
