Commemoration activities marking African Day 2010 have focused on the importance of sports in building and sustaining peace. African countries are bracing up to use the 19th edition of the soccer World Cup competition to kick off in South Africa this June 11, to build bridges of peace and sustainable development in the continent. Since May 25, the day for the commemoration of the 47th edition of the African Day, the African Group in Cameroon made up of 16 heads of diplomatic missions of African countries, Cameroonian authorities and members of the civil society have been celebrating occasion under the theme, “ Building and sustaining peace through sports”.

The commemorative activities in Yaounde, programmed to end today, have been guided by the message of the African Union Commission President, Jean Ping who last May 25, said the theme gives full meaning to the soccer World Cup Africa will be hosting for the first time. He stated that it, “gives full meaning to the event, as it highlights our resolve to make all possible efforts in order to fulfil the vision of Africa towards peaceful co-existence, integration, prosperity, and pro-activeness”. The theme, Jean Ping reiterated, also echoes the decision taken in Tripoli in August 2009, by African Heads of State and Government, to proclaim 2010 as the year of Peace and Security in Africa

Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations as is the tradition organised different activities within the framework of Africa Days 2010 intended to make African Union better known. External Relations Minister, Henri Eyebe Ayissi, chaired the launching ceremony of commemorative activities last May 25. He said the event served as an opportunity for Africa to celebrate the contribution of sports to peace. Major highlights of the commemorative activities include a football encounter pitting the team of the African Group against that of the Ministry of External Relations, political talks and consultations between members of government, officials and members of the African group. There was equally a roundtable conference at the Yaounde International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), on the theme, “50 years of independence: balance sheet and perspectives”.