MANIFESTO OF AFRICAN INTELLECTUALS

We, the African intellectuals of Africa and the Diaspora, mindful of the urgent need to strengthen relationships among all African peoples, with a view to overcoming the obstacles to development through the AU, and aware of the character and competence of Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, have the strong conviction that he will strive relentlessly to improve the lives of all African people. Therefore, we hereby pledge our full support for him to be the next Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC).

Professor Abdoulaye Bathily has all the required human, intellectual, technical and moral qualities. With fifty years of experience as a student advocate, political activist, professor, researcher, trade unionist, minister, and parliamentarian, he possesses the dynamism, charisma and ideal profile to lead the African Union to achieve our shared vision.

Professor Bathily is familiar with the intricacies of multilateral diplomacy. On numerous occasions, he represented the United Nations or the African Union in conflict zones where his talent for mediation and his innate capacity for dialogue and consensus were decisive.

The multiple talents of Professor Bathily predispose him to address the major challenges of the continent through an Africa-driven agenda, in other words, a systematic approach to finding African solutions for African problems. This approach would require, inter alia, improving organizational policies to include strategies that reflect greater inclusion of youth and women.

Professor Bathily has dedicated his life to the struggle for liberation on the continent and has worked assiduously to secure its position as an active player in world affairs through unity and peace. He will lead the AU in taking ownership of the fight for the sovereignty of African people without compromising African values, which constitute the foundation of African nations. It is important for us to make our foremost concern the achievement of the political unity of our continent that the Founding Fathers set out to achieve.

Challenging Times

This election is critical because it is occurring at a time when the continent has the means to better meet current political, economic, social, cultural, technological and security challenges. Africa can no longer be considered a continent that is lagging behind as depicted by the images of misery flooding the media. The perception of Africa is changing around the world, as a result of the progress it has made over the past decades in terms of democracy, economic development and the promotion of human rights. Africa has embarked with determination on a trajectory that promises a new future with economic advancement and social justice.

Although problems persist, they need to be addressed with firm and concerted actions. In this regard, national efforts alone will not yield the best results. Change has to be initiated beyond individual countries, within the continental organization, which in 1963, was given the mandate to lead the destiny of Africans. The solutions to African problems can only come from sharing, to the largest extent possible, our common destiny.

Owing to his experience as a mediator, Professor Bathily, through the mechanism of the Commission, will be an efficient connector and a builder of bridges between African people and their leaders, by strengthening institutions to enable them to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Professor Bathily will meet the current need for an African Union that is strong, flexible, effective and connected to the people and their aspirations, in particular the youth who constitute the majority of the African population.

Transitioning from a Union of States to a Union of people through the building of a shared African destiny, herein lies the historic meaning of this election.

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