May 25 is a historical day for the African Continent. On this day in 1963, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, leading to the formation of the Organization of African Unity. Leaders, community members and missions of African countries celebrate this Day every year. This year too in Jeddah consuls general of African countries held a reception to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Africa Day. The function was attended by a number of distinguished Saudis represented by Ambassador Saleh Abdullatif, Ambassador Head of Consulate Section Makkah region Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Saleh Kamil, Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; consuls general and honorary consuls among others. “Celebrating Africa Day is an opportunity to remind you of the historical ties between nations of the African Continent and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Consul General of Algeria Salah Attia, who is also the Dean of the African Group CG. “I would like to request Saudi businessmen, in particular, and those in the Gulf, in general, to invest in Africa and take advantage of opportunities for partnership and investment in the Continent to strengthen the economic relations between Saudi Arabia and African countries,” he said. “On the security level, Africa is contributing efficiently in its international effort in settling internal conflicts and in fighting terrorism,” Attia said. He threw the light on the importance of the slogan chosen by the African Union to celebrate the Day as “to promote peace in Africa with sports.” The slogan was framed keeping in mind the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in which six African teams are playing.
