For two days, the African Ambassador Group hosted the 2016 African Day Celebrations in Washington, DC. This year’s event, themed “African Year of Human Rights with Emphasis on the Rights of Women,” brought together over 900 guests, representing 54 African member states at a gala evening of food and entertainment, co-chaired by H.E. Omar Arouna, Ambassador of the Republic of Benin and H.E. Professor Hassana Alidou, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger.
For the attendees, the spectacular gathering of African states, which celebrated the establishment of the Organization of African Unity, proved to be a long-time dream come true. After years of hard work, they have achieved what Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
“Our dream for unity in Africa for our 1.2 billion people is finally being realized,” Ambassador Arouna and Alidou said. “What is happening today, by bringing together the huge continent of Africa, after considerable hard work, is the dream which our forefathers once had when they first began to seek African unity and lead the continent into the global world. We have made enormous strides and Africa today is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world.”
According to Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., the dream must not end there. “We must move to make the world more secure and aware of the crimes against humanity. Like the French, we must have a slavery day,” he went on to say. “It is only through truth that we will be set free.”
Rousing remarks were delivered by special guests, including the Rev Jesse Jackson, Sr., Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Mamadou Samba, DC Mayor Office of African Affairs.
