May 25 each year was aside by the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), as a day for the remembrance of the struggles made by African freedom fighters for the total liberation and emancipation of the continent.

The day, observed throughout Africa, Europe and the rest of the world, is a day of reflection and a moment of stock taking by many Africans and the rest of humanity. The day is viewed as a barometer for measuring Africa’s situation since after independence in the early 50s. It is worthwhile noting that words such as poverty, mental slavery, neo-colonialism, imperialism, among others, continue to be the subjects on the lips of the world’s people.

As part of series of activities marking this day, The association of non-Governmental Organisation (Tango), on Sunday May 25, organized a press briefing at its conference hall.

Speaking at the briefing, Ousman Yabo, director general of Tango, reflected on the importance of the day to the history of Africans. He noted that the day should be deeply honored by all Africans and African defendants noting that it reminds Africans of the struggles and sacrifices made by great African freedom fighters for the total liberation of the continent.

The Tango boss recalled a recent meeting in Nigeria for the civil society attended by over 50 civil society organizations across Africa, organized purposely for the African Civil Society Organizations to reflect on current issues confronting the continent such as post election crisis in Zimbabwe, the Sudan crises and the looming food crisis in the world, specially in Africa.  

However, he added, the need for African Civil Society Organizations to observe the forthcoming re-run of presidential elections in Zimbabwe and many other issues and resolutions were discussed at the meeting.

Amadou Taal, chairman of the Civil Society Organizations in The Gambia, highlighted the historical background of the Africa Liberation Day. Mr Taal linked Africa’s backwardness to what he called, ‘the imposition and implementation of foreign policies and programs in Africa by the Western world’.  He described the current state of food crisis in the world, especially in Africa as very serious, saying that it needed urgent solutions.