Thumb up for Burkinabe Traore, as AU marks Africa Day 2025, calls for justice, unity

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration,” said His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The African Union (AU), at the weekend specifically Saturday May 25, 2025, commemorated ‘Africa Day 2025‘ with a renewed call for justice, unity, and shared progress for the continent, thus making the course started by young Army Captain Ibrahim Traore as President of the Burkina Faso much more desired by all Africans.

Africa Day is observed annually on May 25 to celebrate the achievements of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the African Union (AU), from its creation on May 25, 1963.

Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC) at the 62nd AU Day, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.

This by the African Union has been described as a bold step in confirmation of the revolutionary movement already started and gaining a spread from the now 36-year-old President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in 2022 with a clear reason of not only liberating his country but also Africa from the decades-long hegemony of neo-colonialism.

The Burkinabe President Traore, who along with Mali and Niger has since pulled out of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and have gone to form their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES), has currently gained support in the New World Order led by Russia and China. AES, which is yet a new bloc in the context of African politics, is an acronym for Alliance des Etats du Sahel.

It would be recalled that President Vladimir Putin of Russia had to dispatch a special plane accompanied by fighter jets from Moscow to fly President Ibrahim Traore from Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, to underscore his attendance and participation in activities of this year’s Victory Day in celebration of defeat of the Nacists.

Such treatment to Traore was done, not only in recognition of him as a revolutionary president of Burkina Faso, but to underscore his importance and prove to the world that he is not just an ally but a top priority for the emerging New World Order.

The DEFENDER reports that the AES is a regional bloc in West Africa formed by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, primarily to address security and economic cooperation within the Sahel region. The alliance was created in 2023, partly in response to the Nigerien crisis and ECOWAS’ potential military intervention. 

The trio’s pullout also followed an anger allegedly caused by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, who was said to have shouted Traore down repeatedly at what should have been a reconciliatory meeting in Abuja and the next ECOWAS meeting they would attend, it was announcement of their breakaway that was handed to the Tinubu-led regional bloc.

In celebrating the Africa Day 2025 in Ghana, the good people of the former Gold Coast trooped to the streets to express their support for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the new regional bloc in West Africa being championed by the three former ECOWAS countries: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” according to AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, honours honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration.

“While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.”

He continued, “Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.”

H.E. Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strategic assets: a youthful and growing population, vast arable land, rich mineral wealth, and abundant renewable energy potential. With its population expected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa is not only the continent of the future—it is the engine of global transformation.

The Chairperson also noted the resilience of African economies, with many countries achieving macroeconomic gains and even double-digit growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the dynamism of African youth and women, who are leading community transformation and innovation across the continent.

Africa’s evolving role in global governance was a central focus of the address. The continent’s membership in the G20 was hailed as both “a well-deserved participation” and a “global recognition of Africa’s importance.”

“It is our duty as Africans,” he said, “to safeguard our resources and prioritise value addition through transformative initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics.”

In conclusion, the Chairperson issued a resounding call to action, “Let us reaffirm our shared values and take rightful ownership of our future on the global stage. Pan-Africanism was forged through the dreams and determination of our people—but also through strategic foresight. Let us honour that legacy with bold, united action.”

Russian President Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin had extended his regards to the heads of state across Africa on the occasion of Africa Day, expressing confidence that joint efforts would lead to the further strengthening of Russia-Africa relations, the Kremlin press service reported on Sunday a day after the May 24 celebrations.

It would be recalled that President Putin had to dispatch a special plane, accompanied by fighter jets, from Moscow to fly President Ibrahim Traore from Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, recently to underscore his attendance and participation in activities of this year’s Victory Day in celebration of victory against the Nacists.

“I am confident that through joint efforts we will ensure the further expansion of multifaceted Russian-African ties for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of building a fair and democratic multipolar world order,” the president stated.

“This year is marked by anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the formation of the United Nations, as well as the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,” Putin noted.

He emphasized that the defeat of Nazism and the dismantling of the colonial system were among the defining events of the 20th century, enabling nations around the world to pursue peaceful and independent development.

The Russian president also praised the progress made by African countries since gaining independence, saying they had “achieved recognized success in the economic and social spheres.” He underscored the role of the African Union and regional organizations in promoting security and stability on the continent.

Putin reiterated that Russia has consistently advocated for deepening traditionally friendly relations with African nations. “This is fully evidenced by the Russia-Africa summits held in 2019 and 2023, which made it possible to identify new areas of cooperation and facilitated the coordination of efforts in international affairs,” the president added.

As Africa Day 2025 is marked across the continent and in the diaspora, the African Union calls on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, to pursue justice with courage, and to shape the continent’s future with confidence and pride.

Ghana’s President Bahama’s broadcast

In his message to Africans at the celebrations, President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Dramant Mahama, he said, “Fellow Africans, esteemed leaders, brothers and sisters of the African continent,

“It is a great honour that I address you today on the occasion of Africa Day 2025. As we gather in Addis Ababa and connect across the our vast content and beyond, we celebrate our resilience, our reach reach heritage, and our unwavering spirit.

“This year celebration is particularly significant. The African Union has declared 2025 as a year for justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations. As the AU champions for this critical course, I’m deeply committed to working with you all to achieve this vital objective.

“For too long the legacy of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism has cast long shadow on the lives and progress of Africans and people of African descent. These historical injustices have left deep scars.

“Reparations are merely about financial compensation, they are about  acknowledging an enduring and profound damage inflicted upon our people. They about confronting the uncomfortable truths of our past and taking concrete steps to rectify these wrongs, which is justice, justice that encompasses a comprehensive range of measures including official and unequivocal apologies from the nation’s and institutions responsible for these historical injustices, address ling the crippling debt bedding that continues to stifle economic growth in many African nations, a direct consequence of an exploitation and unfair trade practices, providing the resources and expertise to empower African nations to achieve sustainable development and participate fully in the global economy, returning stolen artifacts and cultural treasures that rightfully belong to our heritage, investing in the educational initiatives to promote a deeper understanding of African history, culture and contributions to the world.

“This is not a simple task, it requires courage, determination and a unified front. It requires us to engage in meaningful dialogue with those responsible and to advocate tirelessly for our rights.

“I call upon my colleague African leaders, the civil society organisations, the youth groups and members of the Diaspora to join hands in this important endeavour. Let us work together to the future where justice prevails, where the wounds of the past are healed and where the potential of every African and person if African descent is fully realised.

“Let Africa Day 2025 be a turning point. Let us reaffirm our commitment to building a continent of prosperity, opportunity and equality for all our people. Let the pursuit of reparation be a testament to our resilience, our determination and our unwavering belief in a brighter future.

“Happy Africa Day!

“Let us move together, united in purpose towards a just and equitable future for all Africans and people of African descent.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH DETAILED VIDEO OF GHANA’S LEADER BROADCAST

ALSO CLOSE HERE FOR BURKINA FASO’S PRESIDENT IBRAHIM TRAORE’S AFRICA DAY SPEECH AS POSTED