NOVEMBER 3^RD DECLARED DAY OF MOURNING FOR VICTIMS OF LAMPEDUSA TRAGEDY BY AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

Addis Ababa, 21 October 2013 - November 3 has been declared a continental day of mourning to be observed by all members states of the African Union, in memory of the African victims who drowned off Coast of Lampedusa Island in Italy on the 3^rd of October. African Heads of State and Government made the decision to declare the continental day of mourning at their extra ordinary summit held at the African Union Headquarters, on 12 October.

The commemoration by all African countries of the day of mourning constitutes an opportunity to express solidarity with the families of the victims and reiterate Africa’s grave concern regarding the recurrence of this kind of tragedies that hurt human rights and human dignity and threaten peace, security and stability.

The continental day of mourning will serve as well as a call for all Africans including the youth to reflect on appropriate actions to be taken with a view of finding a lasting solution to this persistent problem that leads to the loss of African young people without whom the continent cannot build a prosperous and peaceful future.