BuaNews (Tshwane)
Michael Appel
9 February 2009
A single African Union (AU) government would give Africa greater influence on the international stage, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told Parliament on Monday.
"A united Africa speaking with a single voice would also be more influential in global affairs. Furthermore the benefits of political and economic integration are evident when we look at the experience of other regions of the world [such as the European Union]," the minister said.
She was speaking during a debate on President Kgalema Motlanthe's State of the Nation Address.
The idea of creating a future union government for Africa, which is believed would boost Africa's international standing, has been discussed for several years among the region's leaders.
However, many African leaders are reluctant to relinquish any of their sovereignty to a new government, while some favour strengthening regional institutions before creating a continent-wide system.
The establishing of a unified Africa to give Africa stronger bargaining power at international forums has been a dream of several generations of pan-Africanists
It was also a topic which received much attention at the 12th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week. Leaders had agreed on transforming the African Union Commission into the AU Authority as a compromise step toward eventually forming a continent-wide government. "We have just come from Addis Ababa where it was decided that the African Union Commission should be transformed into the African Union Authority in an effort to strengthen it. However, the details are still to be worked out," she said
Minister Dlamini Zuma said that economic regional and continental integration was not optional but a must due to the current global financial crisis as well as in the wake of some of the destructive conflicts Africa has been experiencing.
"There can be no doubt that a better Africa requires that we accelerate investments in some critical sectors like energy, infrastructure such as roads, ports and telecommunications, facilitating easier intra and inter-regional trade, especially because Africa has most of the landlocked countries," said the minister.
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I second the motion; let Africa have a single Governmental or Governmental Union wherein not only Africans voices MUST be hear but also the position of Africans and the continent on any beneficialry subjects across the basin of rivers. Let that reality become a true reality!!!! Brother and President Gadaffi idea is a VERY POWERFUL one; therefore, let the continent take it seriously. Furthermore, Africa should NOT forget countries such as the Carribeans, Haiti, Jamaican, etc......Is a very powerful dreams we "Africans" are looking at, and it must be taking with seriousness; United States of Africa, must be done and act upon immediately!!!!!
Your Brother in Christ and Allah
I do agree with the foreign affairs minister Dr. Nikosazana Diamani Zuma telling the parliament that a single African Union Government would give Africa greater influence on the international stage. This will also weaken the enemies of Africa and the colonizers. We also need our Bank of Africa and all Africa Army, with the principles of ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE, operating in that manner, no failure. Collective security for surety. It is time to stop killing our mothers, fathers, children, and the great children the Creator has sent to free us from poverty, hunger and dirty water. Truly Africa is unmade, Africa awaits its creators, and Uniting our skills and talents, we can achieve the plan that the Creator has instore for us, to be the head-corner stone which the builders refused. One Africa,. One Continent, One United States of Africa, One Love, Barry.