Paul Ohia — Whenever the president of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi starts touting his idea of a United States of Africa just like he did yesterday at African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia, this writer starts wondering what AU stands for in the first place.
Despite the fact that Gaddafi is the most vocal advocate of a union government in recent times, the former leader of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah originated the idea during his fight for the independence of Ghana and some say the present European Union copied from this idea and made the best of it.
The truth remains that the continent that is in dire need of a union government is Africa bearing in mind its vulnerability in the global arena.
The major aim of founding the AU is to promote political and economic integration among its 53 member nations. It aims to enhance growth, eliminate poverty and bring Africa into the global economy. The AU succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 2002. The AU like its predecessor is fast becoming a mere talking shop.
Yes, a mere talking shop because the economies of Africa have not grown, poverty is still seen everywhere and the continent is yet to be absolved into the global economy.
This is actually because, its leaders are the same people who presided over the OAU, an organisation that became known as the "dictators' club". And since these dictators are still here, the AU can also acquire the same alias.
Money to fund most of the ambitious projects of the AU could be another sour point that hinders the progress of this union. The union, eager to see its activities bankrolled by member countries, has eschewed the aide request attitude. But in 2004 the commission cautioned that the body needed the kind of financial support that the US gave to post-war Europe and where this would come from is still a question begging for answer.
Under a voluntary peer review mechanism scheme, AU members are expected to ensure that each other's governments adhere to democratic principles and sound economic practice. But most AU members are run by autocrats and in some countries like Nigeria, kleptocracy and government by selfish and uncouth few remains like a big setback to the wheel of progress.
However, that does not mean that there are no giants strides recorded by the union.
When the president of Togo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, died on February 5, 2005, AU leaders saw the naming of his son Faure Gnassingbé the successor as a military coup and Faure was forced to hold elections.
Mauritania was forced to hold elections two years after a coup overthrew its leader on August 3, 2005.
The 2007 polls was the first time the country had held elections that were generally agreed to be of an acceptable standard.
Though lack of fund is an impediment, the AU has deployed 7,000 peacekeepers, many from Rwanda and Nigeria, to Darfur.
A peace pact aimed at ending the Somali civil war that started as a result of the fall of the regime of Siad Barre, was signed in 2006 after many years of peace talks. However, the new administration was immediately threatened by further violence.
These achievements not withstanding, observers seem to judge the progress of the union on the speed of integration and some wonder why high level of this has not been attained till now. This underscores why Gadaffi is still preaching the United States of Africa gospel as if it is one utopian goal that can be achieved in a state of eldorado.
The deputy chairman of the African Union Commission, Erastus Mwencha said yesterday that the integration is important to Gadaffi and that is why it is being discussed adding that the problem is when and how it would be attained.
The statement subjects this issue to the Libyan leader and makes its attainment more far away than envisaged. Better union government is important to every African and its attainment should not be differed by lack of political will.
And the issue is not helped by South Africa that urges a cautious approach or rather slow move towards this unification.
The European citizens are already benefiting from a union government that is being championed by more purposeful and resolute leaders and it is very appalling that such are lacking on our beloved continent. One sees nothing onerous in building institutions that are strong and evolving a charter that is practicable and then summoning up the vision to work towards what the continent needs in this century.
We do not have to bring in Asians, Europeans nor Americans to come and build a better place where our children would be seen looking healthy rather than the picture we often see of cholera, HIV/AIDS or hunger stricken citizens.
In the past, we blamed colonialism for our backwardness but in recent times debts have been written off and level playing ground has been created, therefore leaders and policy makers on the continent should not be proud of backwardness.
Every pestilence that befalls the continent and relayed on the international media, as is usually the case, should be a challenge to the leadership capability of those who find themselves sitting on the stage called African Union. It may not make much difference if the name is something else and the nation of Africa managed by the same people.
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I DO NOT TRUST LIBYA.ANYWAY AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE DOING MUCH BETTER. NOW POVERTY IS NOT AS HIGH AS BEFORE IN THE 80'S AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH IS TAKING PLACE. AFRICA HAS HAD ONE OF THE HIGHEST THIS DECADE. SO DON'T SAY NOTHING IS HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS NOT TRUE. BY THE WAY AFRICA DOES CONTROL MOST OF IT'S WEALTH,AND MOST LEADERS ARE FREELY ELECTED,UNLIKE CHINA FOR EXAMPLE.
Those african leaders are out of touch. They don't get it. Before they even think about becoming United States of African, they should be united first in their own individual countries, by being leaders that promote democracy, transparency, work ethics, education and developpement. In Africa, leaders come to power to do familly business. In Africa, leaders have no idea of what a vision is and how to implement it, in Africa, leaders have no ideas of how to transform natural ressources in tools for developpement like in middle east where gas is used in that matter, in African those so called leaders still expect the international community to take care of them. Last week in Davos, some of them were again complaining that the international aid had diminished. As an African i am so ashamed that we have the minds but nobody is capable. Why is that? If african people are serious about building a unity, they must give standar goals to each country which should be: democracy and path to deveoppement. Because you dont want a unity where some come to be taken care but participate as a whole. African people must now realize that since Obama is president of the most powerfull cnation in this world, black people have no excuses for lazzyness, irresponsability of whatever. I is time for Africa to take its destinity in hands and stop crying for help. They should rather work, think and the business for the people because africa is rich. We are tired of those corrupted so called leaders with no ideas of what to do to change africa.
Youdre Zekou Madu
Thy have been talking about this for half a century. They sell of our diamonds and gold for peanuts to enrich themselves and then cry for aid from the west. African unity is our dream, they know it and simply use to hoodwink us to think they are doing something about it. And if gaddafi is serious about african unity he should do something about his Arab brothers who are killing Blacks in Sudan. Why doesnt he stop the slave trade going on in his country. The only reason he advocates for an African gvt is because he still believes he would be its first leader. A lot could have been done at the grass roots over the past 50 years to prepare the people for an African gvn. But as the writer points out, the AU is full of greedy despots
This is really nonsence. How can these leaders agree to this foolish idea from the arab world? This is Kardaf's dream and our clever presidents are accepting???. You want us to be ruled by Kardaf the Dictator for life? Never!!! He is not holding any election in his country and he now wants all Africa to follow suit. Noooooo, Never never ever. I will fight against this. besides why are our leaders not asking for a referendum. Each country in Africa must hold for a referendum to check if its citizens are willing to join this madness. I dont think pure and real Africans, I mean black africans will accept to be ruled by the red "africans" who are not really african anyway. These arabs at one time say they are africans if they want something from us(this time power---loyality) and at other times they say they are europeans(with their brothers in the middle east) How can you have brothers in the middle east if you are an african. Your brothers should be in Africa. I tell you we pure africans will fight against this. We have already grouped to start an anti arabisation and islamisation of our pure and peaceful continental Unit. We are going to fight you until you go back to your asia. If you think you are the only ones who can do jihad( suicidal war) you are jocking. We will do it also until you think normal. We are not concerned with your money, mr kardaf. keep your oil and we will keep our sovereignity. this is very important to us guys. Think twice. If ever there is going to be an United States of Africa, it will be a union of Black Africans without their arab "brothers" Are we brothers??? in what way???? Never never ever.............
Mrs. Almaz, please go back to history we are not Red African or Black African, we are ONE African. Please do not use old fashion. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Idea
Explaining his vision in his 1961 book, I Speak of Freedom, he wrote:
"Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world...I believe strongly and sincerely that with the deep-rooted wisdom and dignity, the innate respect for human lives, the intense humanity that is our heritage, the African race, united under one federal government, will emerge not as just another world bloc to flaunt its wealth and strength, but as a Great Power whose greatness is indestructible because it is built not on fear, envy and suspicion, nor won at the expense of others, but founded on hope, trust, friendship and directed to the good of all mankind."
North, east, south, west Christian, musilim we all ONE African, look how we African American we elected Obama. Who ever brings this Idea we all have to support and stand for change. Thanks
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