Background
History of May 25 – African Liberation Day
African Liberation Day is an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on the 25th of May 1963, and aims to promote unity and solidarity among African people and states. It also is the anniversary of the launch of Africans Rising on 25th May 2017. In the past, the Africans Rising movement has used May 25-African Liberation Day to recognize issues of illicit financial flows, slavery, and health. Given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, this mobilization is an important time to call on governments, institutions and businesses to put lives before personal interests and profits during the global health crisis.
African Liberation Week 2022
The banner for mobilisation in 2022 changes from African Liberation Day to African Liberation Week. This reflects the way we mobilise which often spans a whole week of activities rather than just a day and will help clear confusion in the minds of our members. It also better reflects the historical record. The discussion on the imperative for African unity in May 1963 was not necessarily a day’s event. It started on 23rd May 1963 and culminated in the signing of the Charter of OAU now AU on 25th May 1963.
Theme and sub-themes
This year, the mobilisation is under a broad theme “Africa for Africans” which captures the need for unity and ownership in facing African struggles accompanied by sub-themes which allow for focus on key areas and currents for mobilisation in 2022. We will conduct the virtual campaign under this theme along with our hashtag #Rise4OurLives.
Broad theme:
Africa for Africans
“Africans” include all people of African descent wherever they may be. This theme re-echoes the historical call by Marcus Garvey for Africans to unite and take ownership and control of our homeland. Its relevance in contemporary times is seen in the rush by new and old global powers upon the resources of Africa.
Sub-themes:
- Decolonisation – capturing the unfinished business of decolonisation
- Gender justice – ensuring gender equality in carving the Africa We Want
- Health – equitable access to quality healthcare amid COVID-19
- Climate and Environmental Justice – advancing the push for climate and environmental justice towards the #AfricaWeWant
Call to Action:
Activities marking the African Liberation will be held from 23rd to 29th of May 2022. To register your event or activity to be part of the 2022 mobilisation, fill out this short form: https://forms.gle/NCeLdUDFGryM66LC6
Help Africans Rising build the #AfricaWeWant.
When you make a donation to Africans Rising, you help our movement support the activists and grassroots organizers mobilizing and organizing their communities in Africa and the diaspora for justice, peace, and dignity.
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