Africans are set to celebrate the birth of the African Union on Tuesday with leaders from across the continent assembled in Durban for its grand launch.
The highlight will be a public launch at a rugby stadium, not far from the International Convention Centre where African heads of state started gathering on Monday for a three-day summit.
Military and civilian parades and a flypast by a Boeing and three Cheetah fighter jets will form part of what has been dubbed the ”Spectacular”.
There will also be performances by a choir of 300 voices and prominent musicians.
South African President Thabo Mbeki is to address an expected 20 000-strong crowd at the stadium. Five other presidents, representing the different regions of Africa, will also speak.
The first assembly of the AU is due to be convened at the ICC shortly after 9am, following the procession into the hall of presidents each accompanied by a child carrying the flag of the country concerned.
They are due to adopt the rules and procedures of the four key organs of the AU, as well the protocol on the establishment of a peace and security council for Africa.
On Monday, African leaders voiced warnings, encouragement and resolve as they started winding down the 39-year-old Organisation of African Unity.
The AU has been presented as an organisation that will be stronger and more effective that its predecessor.
In a major departure from the OAU, its security council will be mandated to intervene in the affairs of member states to help stem war, conflict and other human rights abuses.
A key programme of the new union is the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which is aimed at enhancing development by attracting billions of dollars in foreign aid, trade and investment.
It will seek to commit participating countries to good governance and democracy. – Sapa