Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO, 25 May 2016. The 2016 anniversary for the creation of OAU/AU was celebrated in Ouagadougou, B.F. on Wednesday 25th May. The programme was organized by the Youths Pan Africanist Association (YPAA) in the Capital City of Burkina Faso with the support of AU SAFGRAD. Hundreds of people mainly youths; University studients and representative of youths organization participated in the celebration hosted in the front courtyard of AU SAFGRAD Office in Ouagadougou.

The events organized to mark the celebration includes debates, essay writings and SLAM music competition on the themes of African Integration as enunciated in the Agenda 2063 - the Africa We Want.

The celebration commenced early afternoon with the rendition of the anthems of Africa Union and Burkina Faso. The Africa Day message of Dr. Dlamini Nkosazana Zuma, Chairperson of AUC, was read by Ms Awa, one of the leaders of the YPAA. The debate and essay writing competition prizes were awarded to three young ladies for their excellent performance. The anniversary celebration was spiced with a live-band performance by the popular music artist Mekodi Dia.

The 53rd Africa Day celebration was kick-started Mid May with the finals of the annual school sports competition in Boussouma, in the district of Tenkodogo (two hundreds kilometres distant from Ouagadougou). On the occasion, Mr. GOUEM Idrissa Celestin, AUC Officer native of the community, was the Chair of the ceremony, supported by AU SAFGRAD Office. Different games were staged to mark the event and many Young ladies excel in the competition. The Boussouma community of about 30,000 inhabitants is noted for the high school enrolment of girls. Not surprising, girls won most of the rophies competed forat the great satisfaction of government Officials and local leaders including His Majesty The Naaba Sigri, royal father of the day.

The OAU/AU birthday was also marked at the University level, notably at Institut Africain de Management (IAM Ouagadougou) with cultural parades of various countries including African dances, dressing and cooking.
All the events presented great opportunities to talk about African Integration through The Agenda 2063.

For more information, please contact Mr. Youssoupha MBENGUE, Information and Outreach Oficer, AU SAFGRAD. Tel. +22678234178, Email: Mbenguey@africa-union.org