The rate of internally displaced persons, refugees is on the increase in Africa, and it is only Africa that can solve it solutions, as a saying goes, “One who wears the shoe knows were its itching him. It is on this note that the African Union Commission (AUC) has set to mark the Africa Day today, 25th May, 2019 at the Commission’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

CEOAfrica reports that the celebration  which has the theme “The year of Refugees, Returnees, and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards, Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa” was made known in the African Union (AU) web page.

The objectives of the celebrations is centred on celebrating the continent’s day, create, maintain and increase awareness for the public at large on the African Union Agenda 2063 and also create African Unity through various activities.

According to the release seen by CEOAfrica, the Africa Day Celebrations will present an avenue to celebrate some landmark achievements of the Union on various issues such as peace and security, continental integration, women and youth empowerment, eradication of diseases, inter alia.

The celebration will also be an opportune time to reflect on the Union’s transformation and achievements and also renew commitments to realize the Africa we want as embedded in Agenda 2063.

The AU day will further be an opportune occasion to promote the visibility of the African Union and its activities all over the African continent, diaspora and the countries where AU has its representative offices as well as regional offices.

The African Union Commission is therefore calling upon all Africans to commemorate and celebrate the Africa Day.

Activities of the celebration include; Sports activities and bazzar, official ceremony of Africa Day including the inauguration of AU Memorial Wall in Honour of African Heroes ; speeches by AUC leadership, Member States and host country; and panel discussion on the theme of the year.

Participants expected to be in attendance includes; AU Member States; AU Commission Staff; All institutions represented in AUC; Partners : Non-African Countries and International Organizations; Civil Societies representing Youth and Gender; Civil Society Organizations; Students from International schools; Self-Sponsored from abroad.

The Africa Day is an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963.

It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.