ADDIS ABABA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), which is now the AU, with different activities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the seat of its headquarters.

The celebrations kicked off Saturday morning with a special summit of AU heads of states and governments, where the leaders in the presence of other dignitaries had debate on Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, the theme of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee.

After the special summit at the AU headquarters, the celebrations continued at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, where culture performances by different African troupes were staged with remarks by African leaders as well as solidarity and congratulatory messages by officials from friends and partners of Africa.

Following the opening remarks by Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopian prime minister and current AU chairperson, and also by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, African leaders including Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Idriss Deby of Chad, and Alassane Outtara of Cote d'Ivoire addressed the gathering of the festival at the Millennium Hall.

One of the founders of the then OAU and former president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, also made remarks, calling for strengthened efforts to address the challenges Africa is facing currently.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Wang Yang was invited to the AU's Jubilee celebration.