The African Union’s 20th anniversary, which took place on September 9th, 2022, came to a spectacular end with New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams joining African diplomats to raise the first African Union flag on Friday, September 16th, at Bowling Green Park, New York.
Mayor Adams, speaking at the event, emphasized the significance of the flag raising, stating that “for the first time, 55 nations in the African Union are raising one flag together to say one people, one destination, one focus, so that we can get this right.”
Speaking to the diaspora, Mayor Adams said, “No matter where you are in this country, you do not have to abandon your homeland to embrace your new land. And I’m not going to abandon Africa; Africa is who I am, and who I will always be.”
Mayor Adams continued, “We have been too divided for too long. We don’t identify ourselves as cousins and nephews that were violently removed from each other. And it’s time not only for the land to be reunited, but it’s also time for the people to be united. That is the focus and the goal. Don’t miss this opportunity.”
African Union Ambassador to the United Nations Fatima Mohammed said during a speech at the event, “I wish to sincerely thank the Mayor’s Office for this kind invitation and to everyone that was part of organizing this event. The ceremony is important to us, as it honors not only the symbol of our organization but also what it represents, the hopes, aspirations, and vision of a truly united and prosperous Africa.”
His Excellency Motumisi Tawana, South African Consul General and Chairman of the African Consuls Group in New York, expressed his delight by saying, “It was an honor to attend the first African Union (AU) flag raising at Bowling Green, New York. It was also an honor to raise the AU flag alongside Ambassador Fatima Mohammed of the AU, Mayor Eric Adams, and members of the diplomatic corps of New York.”
