Luanda — The continent marks on 25 May 2012 the 49th anniversary of Africa Day and the 10-year existence of the African Union (AU), previously known as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

On 25 May 1963, 31 African leaders convened a summit meeting to find the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and they renamed Africa Freedom Day to "African Liberation Day".

Political instability, poverty and a lack of development are but a few challenges still facing the African continent.

As Africans and people of African origin celebrate Africa Liberation Day or Africa Day as it is commonly known, on Friday 25 May, these issues are taking centre stage.

Almost half a century after the African Liberation Day was first celebrated; many Africans are still not at peace in their own countries.

The Global Diaspora Summit comes at a time when many unanswered questions about the economic challenges facing the continent continue to haunt African leaders.

The exodus of African citizens to other countries in search of a better life is but one of the challenges facing Africa.

The significance of the Day was to reflect the aspirations of people to break free from the chains of colonial bondage by dint of a collective will and it was also meant to help raise political awareness around the world about the state of affairs in Africa and the self-determination of its people.

The main economic region of the continent is the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), comprised by 14 countries namely Angola, South Africa, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.