Hon Speaker, 25 May marked the 50th anniversary of the African Union, AU. We salute the visionary leadership of the founding fathers of this august body. Much has been achieved since the formation of the AU 50 years ago and much, much more still needs to be done until Africa is fully liberated. Africa's renewal can only happen through democratic consolidation and economic growth. The preamble of the Constitutive Act of the AU espouses the promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights, the consolidation of democratic institutions and culture, ensuring good governance, the rule of law, popular participation and sustainable economic development.
The 16th ordinary session of the AU Assembly held in January 20l1 was dedicated to shared values in Africa, putting in place a Pan-African architecture on governance. This was designed to act as a catalyst to accelerate continental integration and lay a solid foundation for a prosperous Africa.
Shared values recognise the need for Africa's integration and active participation of civil society and stakeholders in ensuring delivery of services, through sustainable economic progress, by preventing armed conflicts, and through respect for humanitarian international law and fundamental rights and freedoms. [Interjections.]