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Africa belongs to Africans and it is up to us to show that we are capable of taking care of our own business. Of course, external assistance is welcome. Even the most powerful, advanced nations on earth today used, and continue to use, outside help in times of need.
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The challenge for Africans is to get rid of the ‘victim’ mindset and take responsibility for our actions or lack thereof.
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Africa and Africans have prided themselves on their strong, communal, social organizations. Ironically, today's African leaders have excelled in the kind of greed and individualism that defies every African cultural value that was at the core of most African social systems.
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The time is up for backward-thinking leadership (the likes of Mugabe, Eyadema, etc.). The moment has come for (positive) nationalist leaders: those who will put the interest of their nations/regions before their own; those who will accept defeat with dignity and grace; and those who will work to give back power to the people.
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With this kind of leader, the African Union is not only possible, but surely workable.
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Kitenge N'Gambwa, Silver Spring, MD (USA) 10 Mar 2002
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It is good to think of and dream about an African Union. Although the idea is not new, it is beginning to stir a lot of heated debate as to whether or not it is viable. I believe this debate should be extended further through radio, television, newspapers etc. to include the people at the grassroots level in all countries in Africa. The more people talk about it the more ideas are discussed and the more educated people become. By informing the public, more pressure will be placed upon our leaders to take this concept seriously and think about change. Without change there cannot be a Union.
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Francis Gizaza, Philadelphia, PA, USA 7 Mar 2002
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I tend to disagree with Pirach Yang's assertion that "all violent conflicts in Africa have their genesis from outside the continent."
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While it may true that probably most conflicts are incited from outside Africa, in some cases, however, outsiders only take advantage of internally brewed conflicts.
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Take for instance the former president of Zambia, Mr. Chiluba, who during the tranformation of the OAU into the African Union posed a question as to "what the causes of conflicts in Africa are." He answered by saying that they are mainly caused by leaders who want to cling to power, even when their time is up. True as his statement was, he was ironically and hypocritically talking about himself. He had been actively campaigning for a third term which was contrary to the stipulations of the Zambian constitution. He almost drove the nation to the verge of a bloodbath. Had war broken out in Zambia, could we have still blamed it on the outsiders?
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Or probably you would still argue that it was the outsiders in the first place who were manipulating him into his undemocratic bids. The African experience, however, has shown us that African leaders tend to, more often than not, be a terrible cause of conflicts on the continent. And this, mainly as a result of their personal and selfish interests.
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Look at dictators like Mobutu, Bokkasa, Idi Amin, Kaunda? Moi? Mugabe? While it may be debatable as to whether some of these are dictators e.g. Kaunda, Moi, Mugabe, they still share one thing in common -- a desire for a life-long grip on the presidential office. They are/were prepared to rig elections at the expense of peace, development and stability. Frustrated...people resort to arms...and then we shift the blame from our own African demagogues on to the outsiders.
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Some of these people were even in the forefront of the discussions concerning the implementation of the AU, posing as great democrats(e.g Chiluba of Zambia).
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What about the African religious conflicts, e.g. the muslim governments persecuting their own citizens(Sudan)? What agenda do the muslims have for the African Union through Gaddafi? The bottomline is let us not ignore and cast a blind eye to our internal and continental causes of conflicts and strife in Africa. While it is true that the outside world contributes to our conflicts, they are, however, not the sole cause. African leaders ought to share the blame. And if the African Union is to succeed, such attitudes in African leaders ought to be dealt with.
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Augustine, USA
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African union has been the dream of many late African heads of state like Kwame, Sekou, and King Hassan.
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I think Africans will settle their diffreces through dialogue and work towards greater unity.
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AU`s Parliament can be and should be in any African city desired by the African people.
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Diallo M., Chicago, Illinois, USA
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I tend to disagree with Pirach Yang's assertion that, "all violent conflicts in Africa have their genesis from outside the continent."
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While it may true that most conflicts are incited from outside Africa, in some cases, outsiders only take advantage of internal problems.
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Take for instance the former president of Zambia, Mr. Chiluba, who during the transformation of the OAU into the African Union posed a question as to "what the causes of conflicts in Africa are." He answered by saying that they are mainly caused by leaders who want to cling to power, even when their time is up. True as his statement was, he was ironically and hypocritically talking about himself. He had been actively campaigning for a third term, which was contrary to the stipulations of the Zambian constitution. He drove the nation to the verge of a bloodbath. Had war broken out in Zambia, could we have still blamed it on the outsiders?
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Possibly, you would still argue that it is the outsiders in the first place who were manipulating him. The African experience, however, has shown us that African leaders tend to, more often than not, be a terrible cause of conflicts on the continent. This is mainly as a result of their personal and selfish interests.
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Look at several dictators...the likes of Mobutu, Bokkasa, Idi Amin, Kaunda? Moi? Mugabe? While it may be debatable as to whether some of these are dictators e.g. Kaunda, Moi, Mugabe, they still share/d one thing in common-- a desire for a life-long grip on the presidential office. They are/were prepared to rig elections at the expense of peace, development and stability. Frustrated by such, people resort to arms and then we shift the blame from our own African demagogues on to the outsiders.
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Some of these people were even in the forefront in the discussions concerning the implementation of the AU, posing as great democrats (e.g Chiluba of Zambia).
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What about the African religious conflicts, e.g. the Muslim governments persecuting their own citizens (Sudan)? What agenda do the Muslims have for the African Union through Gaddafi? The bottom line is that we should not ignore and cast a blind eye to our internal and continental causes of conflicts and strife in Africa. While it is true that the outside world contributes to our conflicts, they are, however, not the sole cause. African leaders ought to share the blame. If the African Union is to succeed, such attitudes in African leaders ought to be dealt with.
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Augustine, USA 7 Mar 2002
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KaZulu, USA on 4 Mar 2002 wrote: "
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"Africa is being robbed of its best talent, but with good and genuine incentives to come back to the sunny Motherland, many sourceful people would come back. Think about it, I might be wrong, but then... "
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I disagree, nobody is robbing Africa of anything. Africa was enslaved physically in the past by way of colonization. Then we each gained "independence" so our beloved native sons could "lead" us to "glory".
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Ironically, it looks like going back to slavery is the only way to give Africa back to Africans. Our native son leaders have succeeded in driving out education and educated people, who may even face assasination for making politically unfriendly comments about government. The totalitarian, inconsiderate, noninclussive, dictatorial, and denigrading aspect of African leadership is what has driven away talents from Africa.
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Recently, diaspora Nigerians were greeted with a legislation by the first post military civilian national house that aimed at making sure they have no role in the new political dispensation. It wanted to deny Nigerians with immense experience in western political democracy the right to participate in elected office. You will think a law should be made that rather begs for such people to return to participate. It was not the Europeans that thought of such a law, it was Nigerians. It took other progressive minds to stop that move.
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Only Africans can make Africa by ridding her of the current leadership or changing their role from executive to ceremonial, so professionals with development skills can take over development efforts.
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Herbert E. Nwankwo, North Carolina, USA
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Yes, Africa can create new institutions. No, the boundaries put in place by dead Europeans should not be holding Africa back. Only two groups can hold Africa back - those in the new AU and the present national leaders. These are all Africans. If they do not see the light, and yield to the yearnings of the masses, then mass uprisings should be used to push them out of office.
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Africa is not only holding itself back, it is holding the entire world back. It has continuously consumed resources taken from the mouths of poor Europeans and Americans, but has not shown any benefits to effect. Giving to Africa in the old usual way should now be considered a crime, not charity. Those persons who take in world charity and don't show results should be considered criminals, not leaders. All military dictators should be asked to leave peacfully or go the way of the Talibans in Afganistan, as they have become the bottleneck in the global effort to improve Africa and humanity. Any leader standing in the path to this effort should be considered a criminal against humanity, arrested and put away.
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The important factors in Africa's development are education, common currency, common economy, and common vision - not common boundary.
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Education will help improve understandings, reduce abuses and confusions relative to technology or development, and open up hearts to new ideas. This education can't however be traditional. It is not about going to university or building more schools. It is the massive face to face campaign presented door to door, house to house, village to village, town to town, region to region, by a trained legion of believers in the mission to integrate all Africa by way of integrated development infrastructure, economy, and resources. We must find ways to give every living soul this education, not just a privileged few. The village illiterate must be made to understand and appreciate the idea as much as the university intellectual can. That is the challenge that faces proponents of integration - it can't be a top down effort, it should be a bottom up mass movement.
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Herbert E. Nwankwo, North Carolina, USA
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The Executive Secretary of UNECA has acknowledged that ADFIII, under the theme of defining the priorities for Regional Integration is financed by the EU and selected member states of the EU. Are we poor to the extent of begging finance from donors for such a holy agenda? I am ashamed by the precarious situation we are in.
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Ok. Let them finance the conference, but what is the rationale for having such large numbers of non-African institutions and forces at the meeting?. I have noticed that in addition to multilateral and regional groupings, all European, Asian and North American nations have taken a seat at the conference. Is it not enough that they appear for the opening and closing? Have they ever given us the space to take part in their own regional businesses? I believe not.
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Akalewold Bantirgu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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By any name, the African Union will never work without the input and direct participation of the African children that were stolen from their Motherland.
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I speak of African-Americans, African-West Indians, African-Europeans, African-Latinos, and so on. Why won't we unite? Why do we continue to see our brother and sister as the competition rather than the assistance.
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The longer we hold on to the divisions, more suffering and more degradation threatens the future of Africa.
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Many of us want to come home, but who besides Ghana is making active steps to welcome us? Many continental Africans don't care about Africans in the Diaspora, and the relationship is reciprocal. There are justifiable reasons for this, but we must solve this problem.
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There are Africans in the Diaspora who are excited about the prospect of a unified Africa. Africans such as myself, ready, willing, and able to return to Africa with skills and expertise, to build, organize, and coexisit with our extended family. I know you all see a growing tourist industry from African-Americans who are seeking their family roots. Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, are a few West African states that are welcoming more. Why must it take years for others to see the validity and responsibility to offer the same?
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Structures must be put in place within the AU to welcome those of us who wait in the Diaspora. Passports, speacial visas, citizenship, right of abode, trade and investment schemes, governmental responsibilities, must be made available to us. Why exclude us from the dialogue, the progress, the unity?
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May God continue to Bless Africa.
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Ikemefuna, UCA
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The problem with trying to structure a Union based on Western cultures is that Africa is so diverse. First, we should congregate and fight for our basic rights to health, food and education. This can be done through regional solutions. It might take some time, but wasting money trying to congregate the entire continent will just diminish our resources, skills and future technology. We need, regionally, and otherwise to attract back the scholars and highly educated indigenous people from abroad. Africa is being robbed of its best talent, but with good and genuine incentives to come back to the sunny Motherland, many resourceful people would come back.
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Think about it, I might be wrong, but then...
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KaZulu, USA 4 Mar 2002
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Again,we Africans want to take things from the top - only to find ourselves at the bottom.
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The idea of an African Union is brilliant, and we must understand that whilst the Europeans were sneering at this idea when it was first espoused (in a rather different format) by the likes of Kwame Nkrumah,Sekou Toure,Modibo Keita,and Milton Margai,etc. they were doing so with a huge sense of admiration for the idea,which they knew they could do themselves, and because European states were able to continue with democratic traditions, despite interruptions.
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The biggest hiccup in the history of modern democratic developments could be cited as the Third Reich,under Hitler in Germany. It was followed by the now famous "Marshall Plan". which again is being touted as the saving grace for the new African Initiative - again this is all fine, theoretically.
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The biggest contrast one can clearly see with this copied idea is that the above-mentioned example suggests that the people and 15 or so countries that are now successfully calling themselves the "European Union" sacrificed a huge chunk of social and human capital,including engaging themselves and their people into public debates and making sure they rule and govern their people with total involvement. Then the whole idea was skilfully and painstakingly pulled together step by step with open information flows so the most illiterate man in the EU knows exactly what each treaty/agreement means to him, etc.
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Even so, the EU is still an experiment. I would, therefore, be tempted to advance an argument in favour of developing, nurturing and buttressing the regional organisations like the Ecowas, SADC and Comesa,which, one can say, have just graduated from the nursery and are now due to be transplanted.
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Once these organisations have attained a level of maturity then, believe me, there will be a natural pulling power they will have generated by sheer force of the people living in them, just as we have seen in the EU where the people are now more enthusiastic than their leaders and politicians expected.
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Africans,if we have to copy things,then let's copy them properly, otherwise expensive imitations could be dangerous. Look at Japan,the mastercopiers of the Western Democracies - they've now passed their teachers,this is how its suppose to be if you learn and study things properly - not rush things because they're trendy/fashionable.
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We can also start doing that by coming together at the edges, not at the centre, especially when our economies and people are not as developed as the Europeans.
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Sahid Conteh, London,UK 1 Mar 2002
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Enough harsh rhetoric directed at elements that have, in one way or another, in the past or present contributed significantly towards the continent's myriad of crises. Finger-pointing and directing blame does not solve any problems.
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We Africans can restart rebuilding from the grassroots - community development, where each individual citizen's human rights are recognized as an important piece of a big puzzle; the right to education, health, and other basic necessities - all of which contribute to the wellness of a society.
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Speaking from the perspective a young African female, African women need empowerment - being able to make crucial life decisions about themselves, their children and communities. Men have to support them or this formula will not work.
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Hypothetically, if every African village is involved in a grassroots project to promote the well being of its members, every other piece of the puzzle will fall in place ie democracy, economic growth, peace and stability, and relative social harmony.
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Remember the grassroots level is where great leaders emerge because they know that it takes hardworking, well-integrated, cooperative and educated villages to support one another in a nation and therefore a continent.
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Please don't use the OAU or other multinational institutions as the last building block, because they're simply the last piece of bigger puzzle. Remember, education is fundamental when bridging ethnic and national gaps. So long as whole villages remain illiterate, problems of ignorance, disease and conflict will continue to exist.
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Tina Tieya, Toronto, Ontario 28 Feb 2002
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The African Union is being instituted at the wrong time for Africa.
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If we are trying to build a similar model to the EU let us make some critical comparisons. Firstly the EU currently comprises 15 states (much smaller than Africa). All these countries have very well developed and integrated economies. These countries are not buckling under unserviceable debt. These countries are not embroiled in war. These countries have the resources to commit to integration.
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Africa simply does not have these conditions. The idea of an African Union is not realistic at this stage.
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Let us first focus our efforts on regional integration with organizations like SADC and COMESA. When these are effectively functioning organizations at a regional level, perhaps then we can talk about an African Union. Why run before we can walk?
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In addition to this many countries need to solve the current structural problems that they face. We must address the underlying causes of poverty and conflict in Africa before we can make further progress. It is very easy to blame colonialism. Debating the pros and con's of colonialism won’t solve Africa's problems. I personally feel we should confront our concerns and deal with them, regardless of what happened in the past.
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Marcus ter Haar (Botswana), UK 27 Feb 2002
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A basic strategy I use applies to many things difficult: Find consensus and you find common ground. You will find the basic necessities of people create common ground and cut bureaucracy in half or more. My concerns for Africa are its peoples’ physical necessity for food, homes, health and education. Human decency for women is key for the next generation that will inherit the new African world. I watch with concern.
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LizLongo, New York, NY 26 Feb 2002
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The reaction of SADCC countries (which are supposedly amongst the more enlightened countries on the continent) to events in this country indicate that our leaders are not yet ready to take even a first step towards building a new Africa as envisioned in the plan. It seems that any African leader who has not come to leadership through a military coup will be gladly accepted into the Club. A coup does not have to be violent or be undertaken by the military. The use of unjust laws to suppress opposition parties is a coup just as a violent one is!
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The failure of the recent SADCC conference to even censure our President for his blatant attempts to suppress the opposition is extremely worrying. Are we heading to a position in which fraudulently elected "leaders" will gain legitimacy by their acceptance into the Club just because they did not engage in a coup?
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Tendai Sibanda, Zimbabwe 26 Feb 2002
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Africans leaders have to learn to be serious about democracy and respect the elections. I find that African leaders forget about the power of the people as soon as they are elected.
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For the AU to have strong institutions to move Africa forward, we need transparency and accountability. How on earth can we trust politicians like Mr. Chiluba of Zambia, who can wake up one day and change the constitution to stop others from standing for the Presidency and nobody, not even the OAU, carpets him for this undemocratic action.
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African governments do not need the current style of parliamentary democracy. We can’t afford it. Instead we need small Regional Parliaments in the form of the current European Parliament, which could deal with regional development policies and macroeconomic issues.
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In each country, we instead need very strong local governments, which are accountable and people driven.
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Finally, I personally think that Africa needs leaders with vision and a strong political will. Look at the EU, it has taken them more than fifty years to reach the current levels. It’s not President Chirac and Blair who dreamt about the EU, but look at their commitment to the CAP policy and many other EU policies which create free and open states.
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Look at Africa… just for one to travel from Chipata (Zambia) to Lilongwe (Malawi) you have to have a passport or note the hassle you have to go though to just export a dozen eggs. It’s worse if you travel through Zimbabwe into South Africa. What a mess. As an African, I feel ashamed that it’s easier for me to travel in Europe than to try it in my own continent. We don’t trust each other and without trust it will take us longer to create a meaningful AU.
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What we need is less talk and more action. Unfortunately, we have few Musevenis in Africa, The majority believe in suits and rhetoric.
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NB. I wish somebody could sponsor me to attend the Forum and tell African leaders to stop the rhetoric and become real in their actions.
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Norman Chipakupaku, Scotland 26 Feb 2002
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The AU MUST include only the democratic countries. These countries will be better placed to comply with the constitution of AU. It is true that democratic institutions are not well-developed in Africa but we have to start from somewhere.
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One of the key reasons that democracy seems to have failed in Africa is the winner-takes-all balloting system, especially when the 'winner' rigs the votes and uses state institutions to state in power. This encourages the 'loser' to pick up guns to attempt to seize power. The 'winner' in turn declares the 'loser' a rebel and mobilizes state resources to crush the 'rebellion'. Such a system will never and should not be stable. Until we learn to learn to be governed by the will of the people.
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The grand concept of AU, which was proposed by Kwame Nkrumah, is still a laudable idea, but it will not work if the structure is not based on the rule of law in the individual member countries. The AU must start with the few democracies in Africa.
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What do I hear? Locate the capital of AU in Tripoli, a country that will not recognize democracy in any shape or form.
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Edward K Mensah, Chicago 25 Feb 2002
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I am glad to be given the opportunity to add to this debate. Africa's problems can only be addressed fully by the African people and not the United Nations, U.S or the EU. The interests of these organizations are broad and their ultimate goal in Africa is to generate as much income as possible.
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The African Union is the best idea to come out of Africa in a long time. I think we should all participate in supporting this new institution to establish basic standards that can be met by all the countries without chasing away the weaker and smaller countries.
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As a closing note I think the death of Savimbi is the greatest thing to happen to Africa since Mobutu's overthrow. The African Union should focus on how to prevent such animals from leading us again.
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Mustapha Janneh, Los Angeles, USA 24 Feb 2002
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Charity Starts at Home!
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The notion of an African Union is adorable and should be encouraged everywhere on the African continent. Surely, many hands make light work and a unified African voice could make a difference.
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The fall of the Berlin wall, has woken many dogs that have been left to sleep during the Cold War era and it has brought huge challenges to today's international system, so much so that a single African State will not be able to withstand it. One could argue that the Cold War did, in fact serve as a shield and a peace instrument in some ways to prevent the advancement and the intensification of such phenomena as; terrorism, open wars, insecurity and clear marginalisation. However, these phenomena did exist alongside the Cold War but its effects were so pronounced that it engulfed all the others.
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It is the emergence of these phenomena that has provoked the present yearning among Africans, to pursue an African Union project that could revitalize Africa in the 21rst Century. The question, however, that remains to be answered is whether the African continent has prepared itself well enough to achieve and sustain this dream.
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From this perspective, it is my opinion, that attention be paid to particular, individual States' situations, to find answers for many of the internal divisions before we can erect a union and thus entertain universal concepts. If most of our nation-states are torn apart internally by ethno-tribal divisions, what good is an African Union going to bring to us? If most of our nation-states lack freedom from threats to core values for both the individual and groups, what good will an African Union? What will be the pillars and the values upon which this Union shall rest?
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Even though we live in an era where nation-states are no longer the only actors in the international system, one realizes that they still play a huge role for they provide the legal framework, in some cases, and the mechanisms that support many other initiatives.
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The question that remains to be answered is whether a solid African Union can spring from states/societies that lack a good sense of the rule of law, in the absence of the respect for another state's territorial integrity, and the absence of the principle of self-determination. How will we be able to erect an African Union in the absence of State infrastructure that promotes welfare for all? Before we can embark on our African project, we should find some kind of answers to the questions that have been raised in this essay.
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There is need to achieve internal coherence within our states, to review some of the policies in relation to our national security because these will make the foundation for an African Union strong and root it in the very lives of the African people that it is supposed to transform. Without this, the African Union project will become another African initiative, rich with good intentions but misplaced, devoid of any substance and meaning that would enable it to transform Africa
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Africa does not need a pure and simple economic union. Africa needs a strong political union to enable Africans to find some answers to their long-lasting political foes and then pave the way towards a socio-economic and sustainable union.
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Joseph Bolombe L, London City/Surrey 24 Feb 2002
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I totally agree with the steps the African leaders are taking to unite the continent and have full control over its abundant resources, which are currently benefiting the foreigners. I however, disagree with the notion that the AU won't work because of the rampant civil unrest within the continent. Before anybody hurries to make such seemingly rational but rather irrational conclusions, there is need to re-examine the root causes of all these conflicts.
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Truth and history have it that all violent conflicts in Africa have their genesis from outside the continent. They are the brainchildren of western conspiracy and imperialistic mentality and attitudes towards the continent in order to exploit the resources of the continent.
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The conflicts should never be an excuse for the Africans to abandon a major investment project for the next generations of Africans who should live in peace and have full control of their resources for the well being of all the citizens on the continent.
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Those who are singing the slogans of "it will not work" are simply agents of imperialism and exploitation.
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The best way to start a project is "to start” rather than standing on a high ground singing slogans, this and that!
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The AU will help to stop all sorts of nonsense and atrocities being committed in the name of nationalism. And I promise you, there will be no sanctuary for such prophets of doom and agents of unrest on the continent.
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The African leaders should never get discouraged by the propaganda in the western media about this and that. Even God did not take one day in creating the universe. He took six days despite his supernatural power and might.
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The whole world should support the African dream of the AU for world stability in all dimensions.
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May God the Almighty bless the African dream and its leaders.
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Pirach Yang, Chicago,IL-USA 24 Feb 2002
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For me, the greatest barrier to African development is the lack of confidence in the ability of Africans to carve out their own destiny in the modern world. Our best minds are occupied with getting something from European powers.
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I understand that we are asking for what is our due. But our plight does not call for the sheer amount of energy spent on creating a world system of social justice. It is an ideal to be wished for. However, we would make greater progress if we concentrated on making the best of what we have.
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Contrary to stereotypes of ineffectual African peoples, we are creative and inventive. We should be concentrating on problems affecting the daily lives of people. By that I mean, we should create a critical mass of unity-builders, in each and every African country, who work together on an intercontinental strategy for improving the lives of the masses of people, without relying on the multinational corporations for investment and employment, on appeals to the conscience of world governments, or sending the most brilliant minds to represent us in organizations like the United Nations, which results in energy misspent.
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Africa deserves our utmost commitment and dedication to saving ourselves. Our people are survivors. We need transformation into a creative workforce, believing in visions and working for their realization.
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Elizabeth Thaele-Rivkin, Syracuse NY, USA 23 Feb 2002
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An African Union is the sine qua non for a stronger Africa. However, we need to bear in mind that this idea is a threat to the rest of the world because they will not put up with the fact that Africa can speak in a single voice.
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I read other writers' essays and what worries me is the fact that all the debate seems to centre on an economic integration. This is not a bad thing since we live in a capitalist world. Nonetheless, I am of the opinion that Africa should, first and foremost, try and achieve a political union, and this will pave the way for a social and economic integration. I believe that most of our problems stem from the fact that our leaders have not entertained a political will strong enough to yield lasting effects in the positive direction. The opposite has been the prevalant factor and that is why we are torn apart.
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A strong political union will safeguard any economic development because it will give each State the understanding that attacking the others ruins its own chances for development. People will not allow this to happen because they would have invested their money in the other State, or because they depend on the other State for labor or resources.
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People will realise how interdependent they are and this could be the factor leading to socio-political and economic stability in Africa.
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Bolombe L. Joseph, London City/Surrey 22 Feb 2002
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I do hope to see a full integration of all African Nations under one umbrella possibly along the lines of the European Union in my lifetime but, realistically, I very much doubt this will occur. Why? For one reason, which is the backward mentality of some of our rulers and their successors.
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A good example : I am studying Architecture in the U.K. hence I've come across many sons & daughters of the ruling elites from different African countries, and I can't say how disappointed I am when I realised the way in which their minds work. It's scary!
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They've been in Europe for a long time and seen how things are done and the ways the European mindset works. They've seen all the modern infrastructure etc. but will they try to achieve these standards in their own respective countries? From what I've seen the answer is a big NO. All they want to do is use their family connections back in their countries to gain power and thus eventually divert as much money as possible to their own accounts abroad to benefit the already wealthy Westerners. Shame!
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Kareem Junaid, U.K 21 Feb 2002
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It is time that the great minds of Africa focus on a plan with vision. I believe that the OAU, now African Union, is embarking on the right path. Comments that speak of practicality do not take historical events into consideration.
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For example, in 1889 the European nations decided to carve up Africa, staking out their domains, without even setting foot in the areas they appropriated. By 1910, they had successfully implemented their plan and today they control the world.
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If we had known about their plan at the time of the Berlin Conference, we would have laughed at their audacity. We are not laughing today, but have almost reached the breaking point.
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All this to say, where we are at as Africans may make others laugh at the idea of setting our sights on regional integration NOW, but the day belongs to those with the vision and determination to accomplish their goals.
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Elizabeth Thaele-Rivkin, Syracuse, NY 20 Feb 2002
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Fellow Africans. Ambitious market integration along the lines of the European Union do not yet seem ripe in Africa at the present time.
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Given Africa's endemic problem with governance and economic management, taking a modest approach is highly recommended. Moreover, regional integration cannot be imposed from above, but be a commonly felt necessity supported by public concerns.
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Yet, many initiatives in the past and in the present have largely confined their operations to inter-governmental institutions, leaving out non-governmental institutions, civil society and the indigenous private sector, some of which are key actors in national economies.
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Finally, economic integration in Africa will not succeed in the absence of peace and stability. The socio-economic destruction and misery evident in the DRC and Angola testifies to the need for a regional consensus on the collective security needs of Africa.
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Fantu Cheru, Washington, DC 20 Feb 2002
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The ideals of a united states of Africa were conceived more than forty years ago, and all parties then to the negotiations were furnished with all the virtues of a united people.
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We can not assume that it was not really clear to them that we stood at a better position as united people than as balkanised states. Why did Nkrumah not live to achieve the ideals he so highly cherished? Why did some African Heads of State refuse to accept a continental union?
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The answer is because they forgot they will be judged for their actions. They were so myopic in outlook that they thought personnal interest reigns supreme.
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It is only sad that not until we have been caught by the trap that prophet Nkrumah had forwarned us about that we begin to think about his ideal proposal. It is an ideal I pray to see achieved in my lifetime and wish that it comes soon. However, I hope to strike a note of caution to all African peoples that there is much more hard work and sacrifice to follow after unification.
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My experience here in the USA as a sudent tells me that the country of the USA is so great because of the total commitment of its people to hard work. The level of dicsipline and hardwork I see here in the USA is quite incredible. I was amazed to realize that the USA is actually not the paradise of epictures as often dreamt by youngsters in my own little Gambia but a country of real hard work. There is no alternative to development than hard work, discipline and patriotism. Long live The United States of Africa! Long live unity in diversity!
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Alhagie Y. Babou, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 19 Feb 2002
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`If you have one clock, you know what time it is. If you have two clocks, you don`t know what time it is. If you have ten clocks, you understand how hard it is to tell the time'. So goes this saying which applies to the African position today.
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Politically, the continent`s conflicts have been alive for some time because of the inefficiency, selfishness, dictatorship and corruption of our leaders. Even in the countries where so-called democracy is exercised like Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya etc, there is no peace at all. Neither happiness nor development has been achieved so far. It is the same as when one-party, totalitarian, dictatoral regimes were experianced before. So I can say that no policy is right for Africa as far as our leadership is concerned.
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After colonialism and apartheid, we have seen socialism, capitalism, dictatorship and now democracy fail on our continent. Inefficiency in governance is the major cause of coflicts in Africa; without forgeting our former bosses abroad who sponsor the fighting groups for their own benefits. The only thing our policy-makers do is attend big meetings in shiny limousines and attack or blame each other`s forces for wars, famine and mismanagement in their countries. Now, when shall we wake up from the culture of dependence?
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Instead of developing agriculture as the backbone of our economic solution, they are always in the air chasing ripe cash from our ideologymakers overseas for their daily allowances hence forgeting their voting machines starving to death from cronic poverty.
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As we have seen, the toothless OAU died the natural death, we need not expect much from the newly born AU unless there is real committment. The idea of our forefathers; Kwame Nkrumah, Nyere, Kenyatta and company was good and timely but was not put into firm effect until they passed away peacefully, leaving their successors too much occupied with their domestic problems to think of uniting the continent.
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Now before thinking of a joint African Parliament, Central Bank and single currency, I hope our leaders exercise real democracy and good governance, forgeting crackingdown on their opponents, and easing the hard life for the average citizens. This may let come true the Libyan President`s dreams!
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Osoro Patrick Magu, Tanzania
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Setting vice-grip like standards for the success of the AU is simply ground-breaking. Manning the vault to safeguard those standards is another important step.
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Our people cannot afford another round of servitude.
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Once a concrete foundation has been laid, I suggest a series of test-runs be conducted and an independent body be created to monitor compliance. This body could resemble the traditional Aare-Ona-Kakanfo/Bashorun of the Nigerian Yorubas, to safeguard corruption/nepotism.
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Kayode Tayo, Boston, MA. USA
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As soon as the Europeans formed their union, we started thinking about about an African union. Dear friends, how long is it going to be until we realise that following other forms of government haven't helped us any.
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David Darko-Mensah, Atl, GA
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Fellow Africans,
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The coming into being of the African Union (AU) is an idea a thousand years old today. With all men of goodwill, let's seize the moment and support the establishment of this noble idea. The creation of a Pan African Parliament, Court of Justice, One Currency, Central Bank; all of these institutions will transform Africa to where it's supposed to be. We can't wait any longer. Now is the time to make Africa what it ought to be. In an overnight, the AU will bring together a blanket of intellectuals that will transform the continent for the better.
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But for all to be successful, The masses must take the center stage. Unlike the old colonial puppet-regimes that have presided over the destruction of their own peoples, the African Union will enable citizens to address their grievances on a higher level, as opposed to the current practices. There is enough space and resources in Africa, but we're confined by boundaries.
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With the African Union coming into being and soon to be The United African States (UAS), the United Nations and the whole world will have to reorganize. By Africa becoming one, the UN will shrink to less than 130 countries and that's power, if we know how to push it.
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I, personally, give a tribute to the Great Leader for dedicating his life, resources and energies to the course of forming the AU. Such a Leader comes not once in a century, but once in a Millenium.
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God Bless Africa
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Julius Kenyatta, Atlanta, Georgia USA
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It is true that Africa has many problems and that these problems need to be solved. It is also true that we should not follow in the way of the Europeans, as our "system" is very different.
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I believe it is for this reason that we MUST forge ahead with an AU and an African parliament. Who would argue that democracy is not a goal that all African countries should seek? I believe that, unlike the EU which was set up as an extension of the local governments (in a sense), the AU can be organized in such a way that it helps foster democracy in Africa. I would argue that by forming an AU, we do not imitate the EU but are doing quite the opposite.
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It is true that in many parts of Africa, Africans place their tribal loyalties before national ones. If we were to dismantle African Nations, which were mostly brought about by colonial rule, would we have utopia in Africa? I think not.
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I believe the African tribal groups should be, perhaps MUST be, included in our African governments. Take the UK example (House of Lords and House of Commons) or US (Senate, Representatives) or many other countries with two houses; perhaps we should have 3 houses, including a house of tribal leaders. This should help bring the grievances of tribal groups to national attention instead of them resorting to armed conflicts.
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This may even be a body that the AU may want to consider; an African council of tribal leaders may have more sway in local tribal conflicts than any national government. These are aspects of democratic rule in Africa where I believe we should depart from the Western blueprints and, by so doing, can improve our condition.
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As for the AU, it is imperative that we forge ahead. Some have suggested that we wait for Africa to improve before forming a union, but I personally do not agree. I believe by forming a union we will improve much faster. For the last 42+ years, we've waited for individual countries to improve. It is time we came together and tried to improve together - unless we want to spend another 42+ years "improving ".
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Mark Peters, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Well, I'm happy to hear that an African parliament, single currency, a court of justice are on their way. The Euro, for example, is a powerful force. Think of an African currency. The African currencies are so weak that Africans cannot compete in the world market. What we need to do is to have a single currency that can compete with other world currencies.
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I have a dream that one day all those intellectuals from Africa who are abroad will be back home enjoying the fruits of the one African continent.
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Thanks.
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Julius Kipkeny, Marietta Georgia, USA
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To Ewusi Kale [see previous contribution]: Africans do not own the rights to our resources, that is why we don't reap the benefits of their rewards.
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Also, the Middle East was not colonized to the extent that Africa was; as a matter of fact, nowhere was, except the Americas and we can see the turmoil that that has followed. Native American people are among the poorest in the world, the Caribs and Arawak don't even really exist any more.
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All Africa needs is time and a chance to prove herself. The first African country gained independence about 40 years ago. If you can point to any example in the world that rose to prominence in that amount of time independently, I would love to hear about it.
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Ashanti, Georgia, USA
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The establishment of an Panafrican parliament would work wonders for African people, so long as the individual rights of different religious groups and tribes are properly represented in a democratic manner. No single group's agenda should ever overshadow that of any other group, unless it seeks to deny freedom to another group.
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I also think that this panel should look for input and assistance from African peoples throughout the world, such as the African Americans who have, to date, the most political clout of any african peoples in the world. Establish trade with them just as the Jews and Asians in America have done with their homelands.
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Latonya Heard, Lawrencville, Georgia, USA
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The idea of the Africa Union is a wonderful dream that will materialise if, and only if, our greedy and selfish leaders who are remote-controlled by their colonial masters, can let go these colonial masters and love their countries.
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As long as these colonial masters still have their grips on Africa, I can assure you that the Union cannot work for the betterment of Africa, even if they allow it to exist.
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The so-called developed world will not love to see Africans determine the prices for the raw materials and natural resources harvested from Africa.
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The colonial master gave their colonies political independence and withheld economic independence; as such, we can only develop at their pace. If we are not economically independent, our dream for the miracle that Africa Union could bring, will be nothing more than what OAU gave us for over three decades.
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As long as the so-called world market determines the prices of the raw materials we produce and gets them almost for free; manufactures goods and sells them to us at their determined prices, we are doomed to be poor forever and our development, a big dream.
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Let us start by taking control of all the natural resources God bestowed on Africa. How can the richest continent be the most underdeveloped? Something must be wrong with our leaders.
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Andrew Edimo Esimoyamboka, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
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The question of, and quest for, African unity needs to be considered at the appropriate stage of the socio-economic development of the continent. In order to fully appreciate the benefits of this type of union, we Africans should engage in a thorough analysis of the sorry state of our continent.
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Why do Afican nations wallow in squalour, given the abundance of natural resources and economic potential they possess? Why isn't Zaire (Congo Republic) one of the richest countries in the world? Take a look at the viable economies that Gulf states such as Kuwait and Dubai have forged based on the only natural resource at their disposal - oil and natural gas.
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If we have not learned how manage and develop our resources in the micro level of indivual nations, how then can we take the quantum leap to a united Africa? The same ineptitude that has held us back in our present state will, I'm afraid, only be magnified many times in a united African union.
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The truth is this; Africans have not yet grasped the concept of nationhood. The underlying identity of Africans is their ethnicity. For example, a Nigerian from Oyo state sees himself as a Yoruba first before he considers the bigger picture of being a Nigerian. This type of parochial outlook is projected into politics and therein lie the cinders that flare up into civil unrest and senseless wars raging across the continent.
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Before looking too far ahead, our efforts should be chanelled towards building sound, democratic nations wherein rule of law prevails, wherein civil rights are guaranteed, wherein free enterprise - backed by sound financial institutions and allied infratructures - spur entrepreneurship, wherein the process of electing our leaders is transparent and fair, wherein the military understands that its duty is to serve and protect, not usurp power by brute force.
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Strong, dynamic, democratic nations will then form the building blocks of a united Africa. We have not attained this level yet and I wonder how much longer would it take. Forty-plus years of independence is enough time for nation-building, if there were a genuine will to make it happen.
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Military rule prevails, econonic hardship persists... not much has changed. Is African unity the panacea ?
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The fact that the African unity idea is floating around with great fervour may indicate new thinking among Africans of good will. Change is a 'people thing'; lets keep this debate going.
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Ewusi Kale, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Everything is possible in Africa provided that we have visionary, never satisfied, committed and creative Leaders. The major questions is, how do we get those leaders in Africa?
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Josephat Sanda, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
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I believe that the AU is making a terrible mistake if it models itself after the EU. European country governments and constitutions are well-established and have no threat to end themselves, therefore they can come together and form the EU. African countries are in a completely different stage of government. They must unite, but they must unite, understanding their fragile governments and economies.
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It should not be an all-or-nothing AU. Requirements need to be established that countries must meet before an economic partnership should be established. You cannot mix democracies and dictatorships and expect them to work. Democratically elected governments are the best way to ensure that the citizens of a country are behind their governments' decisions regarding economic, social and political alliances.
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Those governments that are democratic should unite and create economic alliances so as to move the other countries in that direction. It will take a long time and a lot of effort, but Africa is on the right path. AU cannot be a "club" for African leaders like the OAU turned into. It is an exciting time for Africa and the whole Pan-African community. Let's Make It Happen!
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Roger Chapman, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
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Yes, we have our problems and challenges; but how the more beneficial and enjoyable it is to solve them together.
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We must excite the idea of an African Union and materialize it immediately. We must educate the citizens of the African Union in order for the structure to be sound. A unified Africa is inevitable, but it is the strength and the intelligence of the people that make it successful.
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Regarding the Euro-model. I believe that modeling our structure off the Europeans is a dangerous objective. We should have learned by now that we MUST utilize our own creative abilities to build. We should only learn from the mistakes of the West, and move on from there for it would be senseless to follow fashion monkey when we see that the West is running headlong into destruction on all levels, morally, economically, politically, socially, environmentally, et al. We can learn more from our own ancestors.
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We must integrate all regional bodies into the African Union. We MUST have leadership of integrity. We must educate our children.
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Ikemefuna, UCA, Baltimore, USA, Unification Committee of Africans
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Unity is the key factor before any talk of an African Union. Without it all this is just talk.
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Ivy Causby, New Jersey, USA
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The AU, while good-intentioned, is ill-conceived. The European Union took decades to plan and it is still in the implementation stage. The opinions of the citizens of the members states were also sought and referendums held. The African Union was conceived in under year.
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When will our leaders be intelligent enough to sit down and plan the way forward instead of jumping on any idea that "seems" smart at the moment. My people in Nigeria don't know what this African Union is about, our leaders just got together and signed something. These are the same leaders that are causing most of the problems on the continent.
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More needed than a union are solutions to our immediate problems - internal conflicts, suffering, starvation, diseases, refugees, government corruption, unstable government structures, rebels, denial of basic human rights, illiteracy, access to basic amenities ......
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Nanfa, Washington, DC, USA
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There are so many internal divisions currently within African states that any talk of the unifying of Africa into a single nation just won't work.
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Kong Lapia, Sierra Leone
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Empowerement of the African People has to be the backbone of the established African Union. We have to look beyond a "Union of States" and focus rather on a "Union of the People".
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Clearly, the ageless strong-man rule across the continent is the single impediment to progress of any kind. It is safe to assert that the African Union has come into existence, really without the valuable input of the African People themselves, but rather by a concensus of these strong-men. Nonetheless, the union is welcomed by the people. It is needed for our very survival as a people, given the current tidal wave called "globalization."
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A sound democratic movement has to be fostered continent wide. Ensuring this has to be the function of that appendage of the union entrusted with the rule of law - The Courts.
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Empower the people and the Union flourishes.
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Call this the all too important FIRST STEP of a viable union.
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Patrick Sneh Davis, Sugar Land, Texas, USA
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Absolutely. The AU must work or Africa will perish.
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Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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The idea of a single African Parliament is a sound one, but it will be hard to bring to reality. The countries of Europe have a well established democracy, and they decided to come together in the form of The European Union to bring about a balance of power. To stop the quarrels between the nations, to bring about universal peace, and to compete against the mighty U.S. economy, they decided to come together.
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African politics is not condocted on the basis of a unifying ideological principle. Africa must first deal with many problems that have plagued the continent. Unlike Europe, there isn't so much competitions or conflicts between nations but within nations. The problem of ethnic conflict which was brought upon by colonization must be addressed. There is also the problem of democacry in Africa, as some countries called themselves democracies but are nothing but.
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If the idea of an African Union is to bring economic wealth to Africa and to stand as a competing force against E.U. for example, Africa must first address the problem of lack of infrastructure and poverty in the continent.
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Ippy, Rockville, USA
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