Egypt's foreign ministry is set to celebrate on Friday Africa Day, which commemorates the 55th anniversary of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU was refounded as the African Union in 2002 with 55 member nations. The OAU was established in 1963 with the primary aims of strengthening cooperation between African nations, defending the sovereignty and independence of African states, and eradicating the vestiges of colonialism from the continent. The day "embodies the meaning of the fight and struggle of the people of the continent for freedom, independence, unity and development," the foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry's headquarters in central Cairo on Wednesday was lit with the letters of the word Africa to commemorate the day. "The people of the continent have come a long way on the path of integration, unity and overall development, which is reflected in the high growth rates on the continent and many other positive economic and social indicators," ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in the statement. Abu Zeid explained Egypt's celebrations of the day this year will include taking part in a gathering organised by a council of African ambassadors in Egypt, and the participation of Egyptian missions abroad in celebrations in their respective countries.
