APPEAL TO THE PEOPLES OF AFRICA

The African Renaissance project should allow our continent, which has been plundered for centuries, to take its rightful place in the world. It depends on the building of a strong, competitive economy as the world moves towards greater liberalization and competition.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development will be successful only if it is owned by the African peoples united in their diversity. Africa, impoverished by slavery, corruption and economic mismanagement, is taking off in a difficult situation. However, if the continent’s enormous natural and human resources are properly harnessed and utilized, it could lead to equitable and sustainable growth, and enhance Africa’s rapid integration into the world economy.

This is why our peoples, in spite of the present difficulties, must regain confidence in their genius and their capacity to face obstacles and be involved in the building of the new Africa. The present initiative is an expression of the commitment of Africa’s leaders to translate the deep popular will into action. However, the struggle they would be waging will be successful only if our peoples are the masters of their own destiny. This is why the political leaders of the continent appeal to all the peoples of Africa, in all their diversity, to recognize the seriousness of the situation and the need to mobilize themselves in order to put an end to further marginalization of the continent and to ensure its development by bridging the gap between Africa and the developed countries.

We are, therefore, asking the African peoples to take up the challenge of mobilizing in support of the implementation of this initiative by setting up, at all levels, structures for organization, mobilization and action. The leaders of the continent are aware of the fact that the true genius of a people is measured by its capacity for bold and imaginative thinking, and its determination in support of its own development.

We must not relent in implementing this ambitious programme of building sound and resilient economies and democratic societies. In this respect, the African leaders are convinced that Africa, a continent whose development process has been marked by false starts and failures, will succeed in this initiative.