President Muhammadu Buhari has called on African leaders to strive for peace and security in the continent as they are crucial to sustainable development in the region.
In a message to the leaders to mark the ‘Africa Day 2020‘, circulated by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday, President Buhari said Africa had given the world a new hope by choosing the theme “Silencing the Guns in the context of the COVID-19” for this year’s Africa Day.
He stressed on why African leaders should ensure that every effort was made to guarantee the success of silencing the guns on the continent, emphasising the need to sensitise Africans about the inseparable connection between peace and development.
“Peace, security, unity and harmony are prerequisites for development in Africa,” President Buhari said, urging citizens all over the continent to innovate on how ”Silencing the Guns” can be used to achieve peace and grow African economies.
He also urged regional economic groups, civil society organisations and the private sector in Africa to take full ownership of the theme of this year’s celebration to strengthen collaborative efforts among member-countries of the African Union.
Africa Day is observed annually on 25 May, to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union, which was created on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
