Ethiopia sees tourism potential in the former hall of the African Union

The Ethiopian government said Africa should learn from him, but also see him as a symbol of self-reliance. Addis Ababa sees its historic components, as well as the new meeting space, as a new addition to capitalize on tourism and help the sector recover from Covid-19 and the civil war that followed.

“If the walls and corridors could talk, they would echo stories of a historic past filled with many victories and continental problems,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told an audience in Addis Ababa on Monday, referring to the many meetings of African leaders that the building hosted. when it was the main office of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

It was here that the OAU Charter was drafted after the then Emperor Haile Selassie II of Ethiopia donated the completed building to the continental body in 1961.

“Africa Hall is more than a physical space. It is a symbol of the African voice, which reminds us of the need to reform ourselves, to be strong and unwavering on the international stage, defending our interests.” It reminds us of the need to reform our collective action and responsibility, added Dr. Abiy Ahmed.

The new structure with its surrounding public space occupies about 3,100 square meters and was due to be completed in 2020, having been planned for renovation from 2015 as part of the wider program of renovation of Addis Ababa. At the time, officials said it would cost $57 million in a reconstruction led by an Italian firm working with local contractors and an Emirati firm to redesign the old structure and surrounding landscape to include a new visitor area.

Ethiopian artist Maître Afework Tekle designed the hall’s lobby area with artworks that tell the story of Africa’s struggle for independence, as well as the challenges after independence. The exhibition area includes names in the “Hall of Fame” of Pan-Africanism, such as Haile Selassie and 26 other African leaders who helped form the OAU.

At the launch, some of the attendees were relatives of leaders and guests who were present in 1961. Among them were Raila Odinga, the former prime minister of Kenya, and his siblings, Oburu Oginga and Rosemary Odinga.

His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was the first Vice President of Kenya and was present at the launch of the Charter as a representative of the Liberation Movements in the Non-Independent Territories. Kenya would become independent in 1963.

Also present were Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and Prince Be’ede Mariam Mekonnen of Ethiopia, grandsons of Emperor Haile Selassie, and Mr. Amde Akalework, nephew of the then Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Tsehafi Tezaz Aklilou Habte-Wold. Former Chadian leader François Tombalbaye was represented by his nephew, Beadrone Ngarbaye Tombalbaye.

This is not just history, said Clever Gatete, UN Under-Secretary-General and ECA Executive Secretary. It’s also a business idea.

“Today, our continent faces a myriad of challenges ranging from limited access to finance, high levels of debt and unmanageable climate crises. Now, more than ever, it makes economic sense to invest in sectors like tourism that they take advantage of our history, culture and heritage, to mobilize resources for national and continental development,” he said on Monday.

Gatete says some countries around the world have used symbols of history to attract tourists, citing the Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty in the United States, the Eiffel Tower in France and the Taj Mahal in India, as “examples of how history and culture can attract millions of visitors annually, and also contribute to shared prosperity”.

“And Africa, too, with more than 130 World Heritage sites, has its rich history waiting to be shared with the world. Given Ethiopia’s pan-African legacy and rich history, a revamped Africa Hall is an important investment that positions the country for further tourism growth, while celebrating Africa’s collective history and future.” .

Tourism is one of Ethiopia’s main sources of foreign exchange, earning about $4.8 billion from 1.4 international tourists in 2019. But Covid-19 hit it hard. At the peak of the pandemic, arrivals fell 84 percent to 228,200, according to the ECA. In November of that year, civil war also broke out in the Tigray region, forcing a halt to travel to crucial historical sites in the region.

Officials now see the recent thaw in the security situation in Tigray, as well as the general resumption of travel, as a good sign that tourism numbers could be on the rise again. However, Ethiopia still faces some violence from various parts of the country, which is why the Salon may cover some numbers as people visit the city.

Originally opened in 1961 by the late Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, the Hall served as a place where African leaders could deliberate on pressing issues such as independence, freedom, development and a better future for the continent.

But now the continent faces the challenge of maintaining peace and developing to provide basic services to a growing population.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the renovated building symbolizes renewed hope and unity for Africa, uniting Africa’s past and future.

“Our global institutions were built at a time when most of Africa was under colonial rule. But unlike this Hall with its 21st century innovations, many of these global institutions are stuck in those times , unable to respond to the aspirations and rights of the African people.

“Africa is a continent of hope. But it faces challenges that are deeply rooted in history and are exacerbated by climate change, conflict and persistent poverty. And African women often bear the brunt of these difficulties.”