Along this time, world knows Africa for its famine and war portrayed in the media. Apparently, Africa has more than that. “There is more in Africa than what you read in newspaper and watch on television,” the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Indonesia, Alice Mageza, said on Friday on the press conference of Africa Day.
A number of African Ambassadors and Representatives to Indonesia gathered and talked about African Day in Jakarta on Friday. Zimbabwe has beautiful landscape, rich culture, and heritage. The country has magnificent natural wonders, such as Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. People’s hospitality and warmth welcome the tourists visiting Africa.
Their hospitality is quite similar to Indonesia. The Honorary Consul of the Seychelles to Indonesia, Nico Barito, said the success of hospitality in Seychelles was because of Indonesia. The characteristic of Seychelles is rather similar with Indonesia. This archipelago of 115 islands in Indian Ocean is well known for its tourism.
“A day is not enough to introduce Africa,” the Ambassador of Republic of Tunisia, Mohamed Antar, added. The African Ambassadors regretted that Africa was not well known in Indonesia. Indonesia and Africa had great potential, especially in economy, the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan, Ibrahim Bushra Mohamed Ali, said. He also added that, with the presence of police, Sudan was now stable.
The economy in Africa was fast growing, Mageza said. Africa’s export to Indonesia in 2011 reaches 5.6 billion USD, while its import reaches 4 billion. It makes the trade volume in the number of 9.7 billion USD in 2011.
People in Somalia love Indonesian local product, especially Indonesian saroong. The Ambassador of the Republic of Somalia, Mohamud Olow Barow, hopes Indonesian traders can go to Africa.
On this African Day, African Union (AU) hopes to strengthen economic cooperation with Southeast Asia countries, especially Indonesia by embracing the Bandung Spirit of 1955, in line with its theme for 2012, which focuses on the need to turn Africa’s international political relations into economic benefits.
The celebration of unity
Africa Day, celebrated every May 25, marks the day on which the continent established the Organization African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), on May 25, 1963. Its main point is the political, economic, social and cultural integration of the continent. AU has 54 member states, with South Sudan as the newest member joined in July 9, 2011.
Some regions in Africa is now still in conflict. Africa would need Indonesia not only in economy, but also in politics, the Vice Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Ammar Hajar, said, “Indonesia is neutral. It can pacify the conflict in Africa. We hope Indonesia can play significant role in resolving conflict in Africa,” Hajar said.
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