AFRICAN DAY FACTS!
DO YOU KNOW?
The African day is very significant because it was the day African leaders met in Addis-Ababa in 1963 to set up the Organization of African Unity. Jovago.com, Africa's No 1 Hotel Booking Portal gives you some facts about the African union which probably you are unaware of.
SIGNITORIES
32 countries met in Addis-Ababa to establish the Organization of African Unity. They agreed to co-ordinate and intensify the co-operation of African states in order to achieve a better life for the people of Africa and to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states according the African Union charter.
KIFLE WODAJO
Kifle Wodajo was the first Secretary General of the African Union. He was also Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served between 25 May, 1963 and 21st July, 1964.
AFRICAN UNION
African leaders meeting in South Africa on 9th July, 2002 agreed to dissolve the Organization of African Unity. The OAU existed for 39 years. The former President of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi played a key role in the birth of the African Union.
MOROCCO
Did you know that Morocco is not a member country of the African Union? Yes, Morocco decided to withdraw their membership of the Organization of African Unity because of the latter's recognition of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. This stance angered Morocco which led to their exit from the union in 1984.
CHAIRMAN
91 year old Robert Mugabe is the Chairman of the African Union. He was elected for a one year tenure. The position is largely ceremonial. The Zimbabwean President is known for his Afro-centric and Pan-Africanist views and stance. Perhaps, this was what won him the Presidency of the AU. He has been ruling Zimbabwe since 1987.
