Addis Ababa — The African Union (AU) has appealed to all its member countries, the economic community and Africans in the continent and in diaspora to celebrate over the whole 2013 the 50th anniversary of the continental organisation.

The appeal is contained in a report from the African Union (AU) Commission, saying the date should be celebrated with cultural activities, debates, school contests and public enquiries.

According to the report on the Gold Jubilee of the OAU/AU on 25 May 2013 (date of the foundation of the OAU in 1963, in Addis Ababa), are intended to celebrate the year of the Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, to sensitise the new generations on the African-African ideals.

To the African Union Commission (AUC), the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OAU gives Africa a new and rare opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing it in such domains as peace, security, integration and socio-economic development.

The document on the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, the note will be submitted by the AUC chairperson, Nkozasana Zuma, to the 20th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the AU, set for January 27-28, in Addis Ababa, with the motto "PAN-Africanism and Renaissance".

To the AUC opinion, the continental organisation's jubilee provides Africans a moment for a reflection on how to relaunch the realisations of the organisation and assess the state of Africa's emancipation in terms of promotion, inclusion and participation of the peoples of the continent in the processes of governance, consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights.

In addition, the date is also an opportunity for assessment and strengthening of the lawful State and attainment of a lasting peace and security in Africa.

According to the AUC, while the OAU had as one of its conquests the full liberation of the continent from colonial domination and racial discrimination, the AU focuses on such matters as integration and sustainable economic development based on the human being.