Africa Day, the vision of African prelates for the continent

Françoise Niamien – Vatican City

Africa Day, celebrated on May 25 each year, commemorates the founding on May 25, 1963, of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which became the African Union (AU) in 2002. It also represents the symbol of the fight of the entire African continent for its liberation, development and economic progress. On the occasion of this day dedicated to Africa on May 25, 2024, African cardinals and bishops confided to the Vatican media their vision for this continent.

An awareness of their dignity and worth

Cardinal Théodore Adrien Sarr, Archbishop Emeritus of Dakar in Senegal, says he sees this initiative as a strong moment of self-reflection, where Africans engage in “an examination of conscience by reviving their dignity and their awareness of freedom“. And this, so that they themselves lead their own destiny in reference to God’s design. From his analysis, the Archbishop Emeritus of Dakar believes that “Africans are not aware enough of their dignity and their value to show others that they are their equals and that they do not have to suffer them“.

Be master of your destiny

The Senegalese cardinal thus urges all Africans to be “masters of their development“. “We Africans ourselves must look at ourselves and consider ourselves “free and responsible” so as not to let ourselves be negatively influenced by foreign powers.“. As a son of this continent, he continues, “he It is up to us to decide what is best for our countries, to commit to defining it and achieving it.“. “May Africa itself be the master of its destiny», This is the wish of Cardinal Sarr who nevertheless emphasizes that this vision is not synonymous with isolation or introversion. “We also have the intelligence and know-how to share» he made clear. In his eyes, Africa’s need for aid should not condition it to the point of losing its dignity.

Dreaming of a new African

The president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Côte d’Ivoire, CECCI, Mgr Marcelin Yao Kouadio, dreams for his part “of a new Africa at the political, economic, cultural, even religious level“. The bishop of the diocese of Daloa regrets that the continent appears as “an appendage today on the world stage“. Hence his invitation to Africans to work to give more value, dignity and visibility to Africa, a continent having experienced “slavery, colonization, and pillage since the dawn of time, and until today», Mgr Yao Kouadio also dreams of a truly sovereign Africa. For the Ivorian bishop, the advent of this “new Africa» passes through the work well done of his sons, and “especially worthy, free rulers” without foreign influence”and “who care for their people”.

“Education, the keystone of all development”

The 2024 edition of Africa Day has the theme: “Education serving innovation, development and culture in Africa“. Building on this theme, Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui in the Central African Republic, maintained that education is “the keystone of all development“. Unfortunately, he deplores, in several parts of the continent, children’s education is threatened by war and all kinds of violence.

“A continent without education is a continent without a future», points out Cardinal Nzapalaiga, who calls for an end to all these conflicts which are bloodying the continent. “We must give our children a chance for a valuable education so that in the future they will be men and women capable of contributing to the building of a peaceful and developed Africa.», insists the Archbishop of Bangui.

Peace and democracy

The Central African cardinal reiterates his call for an Africa of Peace, which requires a real establishment of democracy on the continent. “The confiscation of power is today one of the evils from which our continent suffers“, he lamented. He thinks “that it is time for our leaders to create fair, equitable and democratic conditions to avoid coups d’état, wars and other conflicts which continue to mourn our continent and cause internally displaced persons and refugees every day“. Expressing his closeness to all bereaved populations, internally displaced persons and refugees due to the war, the Central African cardinal, whose country still bears the after-effects of violence, urges all African rulers and leaders to bequeath a legacy of peace, respect for human rights, fraternity, equality for populations. “LAfrica needs peace to build itself; we are all called to work to bring about this peace in unity», insisted Cardinal Nzapalainga.