Kigali, Rwanda 11 July 2016 - A Swahili proverb goes: “Unity is strength, division is weakness”. This proverb says it best, and sums up the mood at the ongoing 27th African Union Summit holding at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC) in Rwanda.

For the past two days, this wise saying has been exhibited in full strength in Kigali, Rwanda, where the spirit of togetherness, integration, prosperity and peacefulness of Africa, can be driven by its own citizens. Same Pan-African and rich African cultural diversities will be exhibited in the capital city of Rwanda during the next few days within the framework of the African Union Summit. Most interesting is the friendly interaction between the AUC Leadership, the High Government Officials and the delegates from all works of lives including the media.

At the venue of the Summit, there is no easy way of finding differences between a western and southern African, or between an eastern and northern African as well as the African Diaspora. Everybody is committed to the aspirations of African Union Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want”.

African men and women from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and cultures, continue to interact at a personal level, to the extent that it is difficult to differentiate a stranger from a friend.

Rwandan citizens, including those particularly from the hospitality sector, are greeting delegates with big smiles, and eager to share knowledge about the transformation of their country from a tragedy to a success story.

On the other hand, delegates from other regions are also proudly sharing knowledge about their different rich cultures – knowledge about their own struggles for independence and prosperity.

Besides the intricate nature of the AU Summit and seriousness of the topics being discussed at high level panels, participants are utilizing some of their free time to develop resourceful contacts and business partnerships, as well as build lasting friendships. The media covering the Summit find themselves in a friendly environment interacting with delegates and gathering information for their stories. The KCC which was launched to host the AU Summit is now famous and can be referred to as a Pan-African village during the duration of the 27th AU Summit.
The amazing Rwanda Convention Centre, offers world class services, as well as audacious and confidential halls for VIPs where bilateral talks and agreements are being discussed with the view to enhance and make political decisions for the development of the continent.

And indeed; for AU to achieve its vision of an “integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”, people interaction is possibly as important as political dialogue.

It is now indeed clear that Africa can achieve Agenda 2063.

Many of the one-on-one and sideline group discussions will be based on finding ways on how individual Africans can contribute to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 20163, which are:
- A Prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance
- An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
- A Peaceful and Secure Africa
- Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics
- An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for children
- An Africa as strong, united and influential global player and partner

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, once said that; “we know that we can take charge of our own destinies if we have the will to reform.”

From the ongoing AU Summit, the most important feeling being demonstrated is that Africans have a collective will to reform their continent.
In a nutshell, it is clearer now that Africans have the ability to achieve greater unity and solidarity between their different countries, as well as defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of their continent.

Journalists wishing to interview the leadership of the AU Commission during the Summit should submit their requests to Mrs Esther Azaa Tankou, Ag. Director of Information and Communication of the AUC, via E-mail: YambouE@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com; Tel: +250 789923794

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