ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has unveiled the Memorial Wall in honor of heroes and heroines from its member states who lost their lives for the peace and stability in Africa on support missions.
The inauguration of the Memorial Wall featured on Saturday at the Africa Day celebration which marks the birth of the then Organization for African Unity (OAU), and now AU in 1963 in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
The Memorial Wall, with the names of fallen heroes and heroines, is at the Peace and Security Building named after Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania, who had great contribution to the struggle against colonialism.
Speaking at inaugural ceremony, Smail Chergui, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, said the Memorial Wall is the immortalized names of Africa's heroes and heroines engraved in lasting remembrance, for future generations to know.
He noted that they exhibited great acts of bravery and paid the ultimate price through their feats of ingenuity, bravery and strength.
"Today, we gather here to bear witness to some of the bright stars that lit and continues to light Africa, stars whose lights gave and continue to give guidance and hope to millions in our beloved Africa. To us these stars who remain alive in our minds, were men and women of courage, they gave us the greatest sacrifice possible," the Commissioner said.
"They will inspire us for years and years to come. We give honour to them for holding high the flags of their member states and that of the African Union for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity in our continent," he added.
