Kiswahili Becomes Official AU’s Working Language, African Union (AU) Approves
The African Union (AU) Heads of States and Governments have approved Swahili to be one of their official working languages.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council is a 15-member organ composed of member states from each of the five regions of the bloc, and it is the African Union’s standing decision-making body for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts on the continent.
The approval comes following a request by Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango, who argued that over 100 million people in Africa and outside the continent speak Swahili, thus becoming one of the most widely spoken languages in the African continent.
“Kiswahili is already in use in various communities including the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC)as well as teaching language in many African countries, “he said.
The announcement was made in the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the UN, the language had its origins in East Africa, and Swahili speakers are spread over more than 14 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Comoros, and as far as Oman and Yemen in the Middle East.
Southern African countries such as South Africa and Botswana have introduced it in schools, while Namibia and others are considering doing so.
In November last year (UNESCO) announced that Swahili would be recognized globally once every year, starting July 7,2022.
