The African Diaspora Forum wants the African Union reconfigured and more power given to its secretariat. It’s not the first time the rights group is making the plea.which marks the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963. That day, now known as Africa Day, saw 32 representatives of independent nations of Africa signing the OAU Charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – which advocated for Pan-Africanism. It’s since been renamed the African Union.
African Diaspora Forum chairperson, Dr Vusimuzi Sibanda believes there’s little to celebrate. He says human rights abuses on the continent are too glaring to ignore. Dr Sibanda says African leaders have failed to address structural and economic challenges caused by colonial rule. He believes inculcating the culture of accountability among African leaders is a first step towards changing the fortunes of the continent.
“So far we’ve had the same people for too long and of course what they are doing is not working. We need new people, young leaders; people who are not greedy. People who understand the concept of government of the people by the people. We can’t have a situation where a health system of the country collapse and a leader flies to another Switzerland or wherever they are flown. We want leaders who understand that upliftment is for everyone.