The Chairperson of the African Union Commission saddened by the death of Chinua Achebe, father of modern African literature

Addis Ababa, 22 March 2013 - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr NkosazanaDlaminiZuma has learnt today, 22 March 2013, with deep sadness the death of Chinua Achebe, Nigeria’s novelist of genius.
As we mourn, Chinua Achebe has bestowed upon us a priceless intellectual legacy which will always make us proud to be African, tell our stories from our perspective and which will guide us in our endeavor to make Africa the continent of the future.

Africa has indeed lost a great Pan Africanist and a respected African intellectual. With his bestseller, “Things Fall Apart”, Chinua Achebe rewrote the history of pre-colonial and colonialism in Africa from an African perspective.

Deep rooted into his Nigerian culture, his literary works nevertheless accompanied many generations of Africans and consolidated a proud African identity.

As Africa celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Organization of the African Unity, the Chairperson of the Commission pays tribute to the father of modern African literature and shares the grief not only with the people of Nigeria but with the entire continent.