Maputo, May 25, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's foreign minister, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, on Monday called for greater unity and cooperation among African countries to face challenges such as climate change, terrorism, poverty, armed conflicts and food insecurity on the continent.
“Africa will be stronger when it speaks with a single voice. It will be more respected when it acts with greater unity. It will be more prosperous when it transforms solidarity into concrete action,” the minister said during the Africa Day celebrations in Matola, Maputo province.
The ceremony marked the 63rd anniversary of the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).
Members of Mozambique's government, African ambassadors accredited to Mozambique, diplomatic representatives and local authorities attended the event, which also featured cultural and musical performances.
The minister said the African continent still faced structural challenges linked to climate change, food insecurity, terrorism, armed conflicts, poverty and social inequalities, and she called for greater regional cooperation to accelerate sustainable development.
“Africa is not just the continent of challenges. Africa is, above all, the continent of possibilities,” she said, noting the continent's potential in natural resources, youth, culture and resilience.
She also emphasised that the theme chosen this year by the African Union, centred on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, represents a strategic priority for the continent’s future and for the fulfilment of the organisation’s Agenda 2063.
“To talk about water is to talk about life. To talk about sanitation is to talk about dignity. To talk about safe access to water is to talk about health, equality and development. No community prospers without water. We cannot have communities without water. No child grows fully without basic conditions of hygiene and health,” she said, adding that Mozambique was strengthening programmes to expand access to drinking water and sanitation, especially in rural areas most vulnerable to climate change effects.
Maria Lucas also said that Pan-Africanism, a political, philosophical and social movement, should translate into concrete actions of economic cooperation, political solidarity and joint defence of African interests.
She pointed out that the continent had the capacity to transform its resources into social and economic progress.
The mayor of Matola, Julio Parruque, reiterated the city's commitment to promoting African unity during the ceremony and announced plans to create an Africa Day Square for future celebrations of the date.
“The future of Africa is one of prosperity. The secret remains the same: unity,” he said, calling for stronger integration among African peoples “of all colours and races.”
Africa Day marks the foundation of the OAU in 1963 annually on 25 May, symbolising the struggle for emancipation, unity, self-determination and appreciation of the continent's cultural identity.
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