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I believe that globalization is only necessary because of the web and strings the rest of the world has made. It's not possible for Africa, or anywhere else, to be self-sustainable, which is sad. I only hope that Africans find ways to maintain their culture and make globalization mold to their ways of life. In what ways do you see this as being possible? How do you think people in any nation can try to "personalize" globalization? Isn't it important?
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Monica Vaughan, Ashland, Or 13 Mar 2002
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No
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I think that as long as we have leaders who only think of themselves and forget the whole reason why or how they got there, Africa will continue to suffer. My country is a good example. I am Zimbabwean, 28, and left the country at 17 to pursue the better education that my parents thankfully could afford.
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I have not been home since. I had hoped to go home after my education and a bit of work experience to contribute to my country. Now it does not seem possible. I thought that this kind of stuff happened to other countries. I never thought it would happen to mine. You hear about this in all those South American countries (El Salvador, or Columbia just to name a few and take no offense to this.) Now my country is coming to this and I'm sad to see it happen.
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chisarayi vana ve kumusha :-))
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C.M., Brampton, ON, Canada 12 Mar 2002
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South Africa cannot lead since South Africa does not have a leader.
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John Smith, South Africa 9 Mar 2002
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I strongly support the opinion of the Nigerian Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, because he spoke the exact minds of millions of Africans when he said,"why do our leaders hate us so much."
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Yes, he has the right to be bitter because we've been striped of what is supposed to be our birth right. In Europe one is subjected to thousands of embarassments and humiliations being a black man.
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Worse still, when you come to your own continent,nothing changes. Take for example,the citizens of Ghana,Togo, Benin, Nigeria,Liberia, passing through Niger to another country were always subjected to heavy flogging(like primary school students!) sometimes spending days in the police post cell until you pay them some illegal amount of money. This will be perpetrated in each post you encounter in more than ten places in Niger. But when the Europeans or rather whites are passing by in their jeep as a tourist or God knows what, the officers quickly throw their flogging cane down and wave enthusiastically with their two hands grinning from ear to ear, as if their lives depend on it. That's wrong. The fact that we speak English does not make us English men. As Odinkalu rigthly said, "If we can not create a mechanism to eliminate these in African union we're doomed"
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Akinridibo dare samuel, Tripoli,Libya. 7 Mar 2002
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Africa without the AU is doomed.
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Each and every time that I see the African children war refugees shown on TV, holding a plate of food with protruding bellies and without clothing, this makes me believe that we don't have enough caring leaders in Africa.
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The Ecomog soldiers spear-headed by Nigeria have done an award winning job in the Liberian civil war and also returned the lost peace to Sierra Leone alone. Other leaders should emulate this act and stop the wars in their various regions for the sake of the millions of Africans that look up to you. Release them from the vice-like-gripping hands of poverty. The leaders should know that affection demanded does not have the same quality as affection freely given. Millions of Africans, especially the youth, believe that the AU is an antidote to poverty. They have gone through a lot together for a long period. Common hopes and hardship have forged a strong bond of affection between them.
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The forces that unite us are intrinsic and far greater than the internecine war that is tearing us apart. Remember, whatever you do will be written on the historic wall of Africa. It's now left to the leaders if they want their names to be written with a piece of chalk or engraved on the rock. The choice is theirs. Let's unite together and make a difference in Africa.
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Akinridibo Samuel Dare, Ondo, Nigeria 7 Mar 2002
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I dont like this idea of African Union. I am from Botswana. My country is a shining example of democracy and we have a prosperous economy....I dont want to see a drug dealing Nigerian coming to my country in the name of African Union...no way!!! I am proud of my country. We dont have corrupt leaders and we have never had any civil war.
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Dr Tshepho Seabo, brisbane, australia
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I follow and read with interest the contributions in your forum. I wonder however if the real issues are being addressed and mostly if Africa is a lost cause?
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Although conflict and war are part of the historical life of any nation...they are not inevitable.
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We cannot change history. Fifty years or so after independence, Africans can no longer be justfied to seek explanations or solutions to the ills of the continent from outside!
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Africa only needs strong and enlightened leadership that can successfully set aside the confrontational approach to embrace the cooperation model and seek to anchor the continent into the world's modern information age economy.
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For this to happen, a full cost-effective utilisation of all available resources is paramount. In this respect, the only salutary avenue for Africa is for its 'rulers' to learn how their own people who under all circunstances remain the pillar of any progress...
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Any rethoric that seeks to ignore this fact is mere utopia!
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There is no hope for countries whose armies continue to liquidate their best assets - the people.
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Bimbabampisha, Heretown
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There is a game called THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. It is a capitalistic system based on return on investment (For every single dollar invested what is the quickest way of getting the highest return in the shortest period of time?). The individuals that place their capital in an investment endeavor for the most part are only interested in the biggest return their investment can produce. These individuals often hire very smart people to run these investment, and the only thing they have in mind is to make this happen (return on investment) and get the big bonus at the end of their fiscal years.
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Having this in mind, knowing that the world has become a very small village where New York has a cold and Swiss air goes out of business, what is the role of Africa, a market of 600 million potential customers?
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I honestly don’t think that the debate we should be having is whether we should be united or not? It goes without saying that we should. The question we should be asking ourselves is: what form should it take and how long should we implement it?
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Today's world functions on economies of scale, meaning the bigger the geographic entity the lower the risk investors are taking (i.e. if every single Chinese person buys one Coke a year at a price of $ 1.00, that is one Billion dollars for the Coca-Cola Company). The argument one would bring is why should we do business with the West knowing it will not favor us? My answer is simple: no one is an Island in today's world economy. We live in a world where they set up the rules, And until we figure out other alternatives, we might as well learn how to play at a lower opportunity cost possible!
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What is killing Africa today is the debt payments instead of investing in schools, hospitals or other endeavors that could sustain constant economic development. By uniting our forces we would reduce the waste that is occurring today in having 10,000 duplicated ministers that are inefficient because of lack of any bargaining power. Do you think that the Minister for foreign affairs or finance for a United States of Africa wouldn’t have bigger clout in the capitals of the world? You bet he will!
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This would allow us to build better schools to educate our youth, hence affording to attract well-educated Africans all over the world. These highly educated people will come back and teach their experiences…etc…This would attract better and bigger investment in the long term. There would be only one voice to deal with for a market of 600 million people, the third biggest market after China and India.
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Dear Africans the time is now. Let’s be bold and dare to think what generations of Africans have dreamt about but never dared to loudly voice. Millions of Africans have died for this dream to be one day a reality. Let’s not let them down. “The fear of fear is worse than the fear itself,” a wise man once said!
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Alioune Samb, Minneapolis, MN
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With the way things stand at the moment, it is a dream too far. But once we Africans get our act together, I believe we can at least speak of economic integration.
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Of course, there are lots of issues to consider before fully-fledged economic integration. Africans have shown the will to be united both economically and culturally many times in the past. Now it is time for the decision makers to realize those dreams.
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Elshadai Negash , Addis Ababa
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The AU has a role in the integration of Africa. It should create a conducive atmosphere for the growth of factories and production anywhere in Africa, by Africans. They should make laws that protect industrial activities across today's borders and allow them to move production activities, resources, and output freely across borders as well. Then they should invest in transportation, telecommunications, electrical energy systems, and borderless education facilities to help bring Africa together.
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If Africa is ever going to make it to productive integration, the time is now. The Internet will not be free forever. Very soon new concepts will develop aimed at reducing abuses, or for economic reasons, a control system may be instituted to restrict use. The Internet is a gateway that Africa must utilize to bring her people together. By saying, ‘their people’, I am referring to the very young who will benefit from an integrated Africa. With the help of the Internet, companies in USA now maximize productivity, by moving parts of their production resources half way around the world. This permits a round-the-clock teaming of personnel. What it means is that the company’s white-collar team now works 24 hours a day. Work started in US is finished and reviewed by those in Asia by way of the Internet. Thus, customers get their orders faster, the productivity level is up, and the customer's activities are positively enhanced too.
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This is one way in which Africa could work in a unified manner. Work started in Gambia, is completed and reviewed in Namibia before the Gambians return to work the next morning. An order placed in Somalia at day end, arrives in Morocco the next morning before those who placed it return to work.
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Herbert E. Nwankwo, North Carolina, USA 3 Mar 2002
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The African Union ia a good idea on paper but we need to unite by region. West Africa, for example, should work together through ECOWAS. After this, we can logically talk about African unity.
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ECOWAS needs to succeed because its economic plan is good for Africa. Do not allow an illiterate like Gadafi to dictate African policy.
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Let him contribute towards refugees' needs. Then we can consider him a true African.
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Nasiru Koker, San Jose, California,USA 1 Mar 2002
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I strongly feel that we Africans should stop seeing ourselves as not capable of taking care of our continent. We have all the potential leaders and everything that we need, so why do we still depend on the West? Let us stop kneeling to them!
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Justin Tata, Norway 2 Mar 2002
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Unfair global economic and financial policies have contributed so much to the economic stagnation and decay of Africa. The most hostile one is the chronic cancer called "The foreign debt" which has drained the resources of the continent because Africa has to part with millions and billions of dollars and pounds to repay the principle borrowed sum and pay back the never-ending high interest rates.
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African countries have to come together and reject the repayment of these old debts(some as old as 30 years)until the time they will develop and have enough foreign reserves. If Central Banks and other financial institutions can write off huge debts as 'bad debts', why can't the Western countries and their Banks do that?
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It is only a clever way of making Africa dependent on them so as to determine the economic and political destiny of Africa. So Africa must not allow more debts with strings attached and should suspend the repayment of old debts in order to stop capital outflow and exploitation. Would they impose sanctions on the whole continent?
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Godfrey O. Kerali , Stockholm, Sweden 2 Mar 2002
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The African Union ia a good idea on paper. But we need to unite by region; in West Africa, for example with Ecowas. Then we can talk about all African unity.
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Ecowas needs to succeed, because economic planning is good for Africa. Do not allow an illiterate like Gadaffi to dictate African policy. Let him contribute towards refugees, then we can consider him a true African.
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Nasiru Koker, San Jose, California,USA 1 Mar 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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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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Bolombe L. Joseph, London City/Surrey 22 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 thing African leaders have not learnt and probably never will is that all political opposition is boosted by Europe for their own interest. Once the opposition is in power and realizes the harm done to his country by his angel protectors who brought him to power, and he finally wants to change things for the benefit of his own folk and land, another opposition is created and the story keeps on re-repeating itself.
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The enlightened leaders are then called by name like: dictator/terrorist/communist and the machinery of sanctions/insults goes on until new leadership comes to power.
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Today it is Zimbabwe, tomorrow S. Africa and after tomorrow Nigeria. Places like Sierra Leone are already colonized this time by a joint British/French force.
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The only person who understood the big-layers game in advance was/is President Nelson Mandela. When the British were trying so hard to put Dr Butelezi as opposition, Mandela chose Butelezi as his interior Minister.
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Now they are hoping to use Mandela to destabilize Mbeki.
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The only chance Africa has at the verge of re-colonization, is to believe in Africans themselves.
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Dina Weber, Switzerland 1 Mar 2002
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Africa is the richest continent on earth and yet the poorest. Unless those of us who live outside of Africa wake up, our continent will continue to be "used and abused".
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It is up to us to educate the less priviledged back home. We just need a few good people with ideas pressing the right buttons!
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Ceasar R Kerali, London, United Kingdom 1 Mar 2002
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-The Vision for African Optimism-
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As the Continent of Africa develops into a Federation of Inter-dependant African States, we envision an organized effort in the United States, working throughout the local, state and national levels, building alliances and communities to re-establish relationships with descendant Africans of the Diaspora and native Africans.
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Our Vision includes the elimination of negative fiction, myths and interludes about African people and the establishment of sound knowledge and principles on the basis of truth in order to encourage mutual understanding. This is a necessary process in order to reconnect and socially bond these groups into one.
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Positive social bonding helps forge the foundation required to establish sustainable economic, technological and cultural unions.
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Inclusive in this process is the reversal of the existing Western based political ideology of Afro-Pessimism. We contend that "optimism" has more absolute utility than an ideology established on "pessimism."
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Pessimism is a hopeless perspective that retains an implicit quality that produces failure, supports it and sustains it. We have therefore, necessarily created, embraced, and adopted a cultural perspective constitutive for our survival and have defined it as "African Optimism."
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We believe that "African Optimism" is a healthier, more vital, vibrant and relevant cultural ideological perspective that needs to be instituted for the preservation of Africans.
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A cooperative spirit based on African Optimism helps cultivate and usher-in a union that would produce direct benefits and profits to disenfranchised Africans in America as well as other Africans on and off the continent. These rewards can be achieved from local and international market opportunities that include information, technology and cultural exchange, as well as the exchange of goods and services.
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In this vision, sound principles and new sustainable standards of excellence would need to be re-established and maintained by participants and contributors. All local communities must benefit directly, and will advance spiritually, socially and economically from these newly formed relationships and the resource exchange opportunities. Our vision includes the necessity to establish new permanent centers of trade- created for the purpose of retail and wholesale product distribution to local, national and world markets. The market centers will be emphasizing African-Centric ideas and products, thereby reflecting the Cultural Excellence of Africa and her children. The idea of Cultural Excellence is designed to be enriching and reflective of and to the local community residents.
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Daoud Shariff, Boston, Massachusetts USA 28 Feb 2002
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I am very happy to see that Africans are now realizing the importance of African integration.
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I agree with one of the writers (see previous contributions) who said that Africans need to redefine themselves. As Africans, we need to think in terms of African ways of survival. We have been cheated for too long.
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First of all, African nations need to implement a new educational curriculum so that Africans understand who they are and why they need work together for a common end.
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The West can be a very good example to Africans, but our leaders have been blinded by their own power, thus, they don’t think about the future of the people and the nation as a whole. Instead, the leaders have been used by the Western nations to destabilize not only the nation, but all of its neighbors as well.
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Those leaders have no place in the present era. Africa should be reborn with visionary leaders i.e. we need leaders who are there to help steer the social, political, and economic integration of the whole continent.
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Why doesn’t the West like our integration? The answer to this is the potential power that an integrated Africa holds. Can you imagine 54 nations coming together with all of the natural resources that the continent holds? The African continent would be a powerful force and an obstacle to the Western nations. I long for a day when African has her own flag that can be recognized all over the world.
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It is now time to stop blaming each other and start rebuilding the continent. The Western nations should leave us alone so that we can think for ourselves. The only way Africa will develop is for all Africans to have mutual trust.
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Furthermore, I disagree completely with one of the writers (see previous contributions) who said that the Libyan leader is not the right leader for Africa.
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You need to think critically about what you said because this shows how the Western world hs brainwashed you.
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It is has been over 30 or 40 years since individual African states gained independence. Why has Africa not developed since then? It is because the Western powers came to divide us so that it would be easy for them to control us.
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Think of the partition of Africa in the colonial era. The presence of Westeners in Africa have caused us to loose almost all of our valuable resources.
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The Libyan leader is a brave person and thought of an idea which many Africans did not have in mind. The union of Africa is critical and we, as Africans with good hearts, need to thank the Libyan leader for his hard work. We should all pray that his brilliant idea be realized.
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Kipkeny Julius, Marietta GA 28 Feb 2002
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The question I would like to ask is can Africa succeed without economic regional integration?
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In the past in Africa, or at least in large regions within Africa there was a high degree of economic integration. Perhaps if we recognize that Africa's present economic problems have been, at least partially, created by the artificial division of the continent into States, then we might accept without question the formation of continent-wide bodies aimed at producing greater economic synthesis, and accept that this process is necessary.
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Dr. Gideon P.E. Cohen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 27 Feb 2002
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I think it's great, and long-overdue for the African Continent (all independent nations/peoples) to organize for the continued existence of humanity and the entire planet. I feel that such an historic event can lead to more opportunities for a peaceful, healthy, and just environment in which African countries and it's people (children, women, men), plants, and animals are allowed to develop.
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Kwesi Olafemi, Los Angeles, CA 26 Feb 2002
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An African parliament at this time is a very ambitious idea. Integration should start at the regional level, as planed by ECOWAS in West Africa, for instance. Other regions like Southern Africa can do the same thing. Then gradually, the idea can spread throughout Africa.
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I thing those who are rushing Africa into this have a hidden agenda.
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USL Economist, Nasiru Koker, San Jose, California 25 Feb 2002
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- Open AU fund now -
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While we keep getting views from people concerning the AU, I have the suggestion that let donation centers be opened worldwide for the AU FUND. The AU should not rely on foreign governments only. There are a lot of good-hearted individuals and corporations willing to help other people in one way or another. Any amount of money is important and will make a big difference.
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Also we should encourage all Africans in the Diaspora to seriously contribute to this fund monthly, yearly or otherwise.
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A central and separate independent account to that of the "AU main account" should be opened, and the fund, I suggest should be designated for the major projects of the AU (e.g. Pan African Parliamentary Building, Pan African Court of Justice, Pan African Headquarters, etc) other than salaries and/or allowances of the AU staff.
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Donations to this fund should be encouraged all year round.
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Lastly, the AU-FUND should have effectively operating branches in almost all countries worldwide with other auxiliary branches as well, especially in big countries.
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It is time to start gathering money in addition to views. This is one way of relieving the worries that funds will make the AU impossible to operate.
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When it comes to where the various headquarters for the different AU bodies should be I have no problem at all so long as it is on the African continent.
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Actually, it sounds stupid to to disagree and pick quarrels and grudges about where these bodies should be allocated because it will only boost the notion that we cannot integrate yet.
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Let us leave these issues to be decided by the top executive of the AU democratically in their meetings. Whatever they have decided about which body should be housed where we should support them, and it will be a big step forward.
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I am confident that these headquarters will be regionally and strategically located.
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This is the time we should guard against sentimental views, foreign propaganda and imaginary lines of divisions within the continent based on religions, geographical locations, colors or otherwise which seem to be areas exploited by the anti-AU agents especially from outside the continent.
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We are in crisis situation and we must act decisively and in unison.
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Let us unite and see the continent together and strong for a happy future.
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May God Bless Africa and its leaders.
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Pirach Yang, Chicago,IL-USA. 25 Feb 2002
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Yes, economic integration can be achieved in Africa. Some preconditions are to:
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- retake full leadership for Africa's development process;
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- retake ownership for Africa's development process;
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- regain self-confidence and release the energy of African people to develop from their inner strength;
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- reform both political and economic partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world so that development in Africa is based on collective self-reliance and equity at the international level, and
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- avoid taking NEPAD to the international community. Actually, Africa should deprive the international community the use of its preferred weapon: development assistance, which causes more harm than good to African people.
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Africa has the resources to develop sustainabley within the framework of human and economic integration.
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Self-denial is a key value for the political and intellectual leadership if Africa was to develop with dignity.
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These views are personal.
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A.N., Addis Ababa Ethiopia 24 Feb 2002
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The African Union will not fail only if the following happen:
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1. Unity should be based on mutual trust and love among Africans. For this to happen also, we need to adopt a common language. So long as we feel "more civilized or important" than other Africans just because we speak English, French or Portuguese which others do not, there will be no mutual trust. An economic union will come later without any effort if we first break the language barrier among Africans. Why can’t we adopt one African language and let all the leaders encourage it to be taught in their respective countries?
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2. Complete mental independence
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Even today, It is common for many African leaders to be misled by the former colonial masters and other western powers. Even some who think that they have an independent mind actually don't. An opposition leader for example, thinks it is easier to get the presidency if he gets the backing of the western countries. This is just an example of how dependent we are, even now. With this weakness, it won’t be difficult for Non-Africans to recruit puppets who will finally disrupt the union. Africans should first be taught and encouraged to believe in themselves. We should know that it is still possible to develop without the West although maybe, at a slower pace.
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The newly formed African union should focus on these issues first. If we succeed on these, all other things (blessing) like poverty alleviation, conflict resolutions and everything you may dream of, will just pour down like rain.
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Thanks Jilisa Mwalilino, Zhejiang University, China Hangzhou, P.R.China 24 Feb 2002
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I do agree with Christine Kaluma (see previous contribution):
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"Let our men pretend they are away. I suggest the African Union must be headed by a woman. Then since women are the majority on the continent this drastic change may herald wisdom and magic!"
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African women should be at the forefront of the African Union project. In the past, Women have illustrated their tendency to organize in small groups and support structures, which has proved effective for development. Where these worked well they provided much needed support and a sense of worth to the individuals involved.
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Women see it as vital to educate children for a new society. Some would go so far as to say that it is all they can reasonably do. To attempt a revolution as a tiny minority is just not on and with the best of intentions could lead only to a new slavery.
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A genuine revolution can only be made if the great majority of African Women want it and actively participate in creating the new Africa. Naturally, it would stand a much better chance if the people had first organized, prepared and thought about the issues and problems. This means that one of your top priorities is to spread your ideas as far as possible.
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Groups of women in a market, or perhaps at a particular workplace, can organize in this way to take make decisions that affect them. They can send delegates to larger meetings, taking this task in turn, instructing the delegate what to say, kicking her out if she gets power hungry. Why not countries? It is already working now on a small scale (for example in Ngos). What's so difficult about it?
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All women need is a total revolution in everyday consciousness! In this way, a non-authoritarian system of organizing all aspects of your lives from the cradle to the grave could emerge. It would be a federalist type of African "Union" society.
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Preaching, however, is best avoided. The African Union should not consist of mere followers.
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An even worse danger is that we may begin to hand out our ideas as a dogma. Finally, African leaders should not talk at people, but with them.
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Joram, Kabale, Uganda 24 Feb 2002
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Thank you, Allafrica.com and ADF, for giving us this space; hopefully this culture will last long. Reading the vast and diverse comments, I appreciate that there are a number of intelligent arguments on the way forward.
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First and foremost, I would like to concur with Financial Mail editor-at-large Jabulani Sikhakhane that South Africa's economy, which is the largest in the continent, should not shoulder the burden of our development strategy.
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A recent report by UNCTAD on investment and development in Sub-Sahara Africa revealed that the region is much poorer today than it was ten years ago (during the advent of free market economies and Russian collapse).
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The report stated that, despite efforts by African governments to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) from Western investors, not much has been coming in and even those who have come to invest in the continent are taking away more in terms of profits, dividends and bank interest.
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Africa needs to develop its own brand of committed tycoons who will invest in people-oriented projects and be able to exercise social responsibility other than giving priority to profits, as is the case with Western investors.
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Foreign investors from abroad come into Africa to continue excessive exploitation of the continent and once that opportunity is not there, they pack up and leave without any sense of responsibility, as has been the case with Zambia's Konkola Copper Mines' pull-out by Anglo-American PLC.
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South Africa can lead the way but, speaking as Africans wherever we are, let's get back home with our diversified experience and expertise to help out this continent.
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Finnigan Wa Simbeye, Paris, France 23 Feb 2002
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I have read with interest the comments posted here by my fellow Africans. I must say that everyone has made a lot of sense even though I disagree with some. The great news here is that at least we are all finally discussing what needs to be done and how we need to go about changing our beloved continent.
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My personal opinion is that Africa's current problems can be attributed to a combination of factors. It seems to me that everytime we discuss the causes we tend to mention only three and ignore the rest. The discussed ones are slavery, colonialism, and bad leadership. Of course, we can all agree that these three contributed immensely to Africa's current demise but those are not the only ones.
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The one thing that should be added to those three is every African being a part of the problem. From the corrupt police officer, bank employee, customs officer, soldier, local chief to the tribalist to the opportunist; everyone is a part of the problem.
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It is no secret that in many African countries, you are considered a fool if you work at the bank or are a government employee controlling money and not enriching yourself with it. Corruption has become a norm. Leaders cannot abuse power without the participation of the citizenry. In Africa unfortunately, for the most part, you find ordinary people participation in all forms of atrocities on behalf of the government. These are the ones who are supposed to stop such actions.
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Then there is the issue of illiteracy. Most illiterates in many African countries think the president is a king and should get away with anything. They sit back and watch their basic rights being abused and they don't even complain, one, for the fear of their lives and two, they don't even know their basic rights because they never had any.
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The list goes on.
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Africa cannot change without a major change in the general attitude of the population towards leadership. I think with combined solutions to the many problems, we will finally put this great continent on the road to recovery.
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Before I conclude though, I must say that the idea of African Union is one of the best ideas that I have ever heard. Without it the continent as a whole will not be able to implement all the above mentioned solutions uniformly so as to better the lives of everyone together. We will have skeptics and pessimists as in every situation of this kind but that should not discourage us. Yes we have failed attempts at such efforts before due to lack of commitment but the ends justify the means. "Success is 99 percent failure" (Soichiro Honda - founder, Honda Motor Corporation).
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Banka, Atlanta, GA 22 Feb 2002
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Africa's moral, tribal, and religious issues need to be resolved before real talks about economic development start. One may agrue that reviving the economy first will improve those relations. This might be true, but look at Nigeria in the '60's and today. When Nigeria was at the tip of economic development and wealth, these issues still existed. Education is needed to improve the lives of the people first. An educational program including courses in diversity, ethics, and technology should be the initial focus. Then we can start looking at other things. Nothing will change if we look at economics without looking at education. Africa's development becomes a vicious cycle of death and corruption.
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Dan Gowon, Utah 22 Feb 2002
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Africans are believers in magic. This time African juju will not work. The African Union can only function if infrastructures are put in place all over the continent.
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Uganda must be willing to develop its neighbour. Ghana must love good things and wish it for Nigeria. Wars must stop. Being agents of super powers to destabilize your next neighbour or kill the leaders of Africa in order to share the loot with western looters and colonialists must stop.
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Are Africans all blind? Can't someone see what a child is seeing that the king or our leaders have no clothes! How are we to see our mistakes if the same blind leaders that lead the OAU are the same with the African Union?
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This time around women and youth must be included in shaping the destiny of Africa. Is it possible to say that the men have failed and maybe the women could achieve success? I am not trying to exclude the men or youths. We must work as one in order to find a solution. I look at Africa as a continent at war within and without.
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During the first and second World Wars, the women in the victorious continents took over the running of these countries and by the time the men came back women were in charge. I was told this in London and Moscow. This helped these countries to move fast in development. Can our men while present in Africa give women and the youth the chance to be catalysts in development of Africa ?
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Let our men pretend they are away. I suggest the African Union must be headed by a woman. Then since women are the majority on the continent this drastic change may herald wisdom and magic! Many people may come to actually believe that there would be change on the continent. Africans need hope to start a new union. That hope can be given by its women. Now is the time. The women of Africa we are ready to lead if given a chance by our men. Try this magic wand or elexir it may work. I am ready to lead Africa to success. I believe there are many more women all over the world waiting for this chance.
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Christine Kaluma, USA 21 Feb 2002
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African Union, what Union? Let's deal with concepts here. The Union'll be a collection of rigid rulers that attempt to corral democratic behavior within ever narrowing definitions of legality. People'll demand that the Union be rigid, they want no latitude for compassion within the Union.
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Therefore the Union must constantly be interpreted, and with each new interpretation it'll become more solid and unbending to the complexities of African interaction it was designed to address in the first place. The Union'll be the Union! It won't be denied, even when common sense tells us it shouldn't.
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Even the good things that the present African states have "done" are actually harmful. They've prevented us from creating the genuine, self-managed communities geared to our needs. African States (Uganda, Libya, Zimbabwe etc,) that deal in suppression tend to strengthen what they seek to suppress by forming a "union". These very repressive regimes also attempt to shift responsibility. Only you can be responsible for your actions. If there is a law against corrupting your masses, and you do it...who is responsible for this action? You are of course, but the action of the Union is to attempt to insure that responsibility for their acts rests with you and me. Perhaps the best way to say this is that most super states formed by repressive regimes are set up to punish rather than achieve balance. The African youth is more concerned with punishing State criminals than with achieving a union of state criminals.
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An African Union cannot exist without the consent of the populace. The Union cannot question itself, or enforce itself, or disobey itself. People do these things, they are the ultimate source of the Union (though they cling to the illusion that the state will "get them" if they don't obey it as is the case with Uganda.) Authorities by their very nature can only interfere and impose things. Surely, ordinary Africans can figure out some way of coping, without planners knocking down their houses to build yet a more empty continent? It is a fact that only people who live in an area have the right to decide what happens there.
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Joram, Kabale, Uganda 21 Feb 2002
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Why Africa should unite?
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Is is for economic or political reason?
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Is it achievable?
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These are critical questions. Are we running to duplicate Europe's way of integration or do we have our own local way? Things in Europe and Africa are totally different.
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Here I want to add a nice comment given by somebody:
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'What is the point of integrating African countries economically, socially, politically etc., when few of them are actually surviving?Taking a bunch of politically and economically unstable countries, throwing them together and expecting them to flourish is grasping at straws where there are none, or attempting to reach some sort of Utopian ideal.
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How can the different African countries be expected to live and work in harmony when they are clearly unable to do so within their own countries? The "weaker" countries are likely to cripple the "stronger" countries, thereby ensuring the mass infrastructural, economic and political breakdown of Africa.
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Let the progressing countries grow as they will, at their own pace, so that they can assist their neighbours, rather than dragging them down for an ideal that is doomed to failure.'
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FBT, Addis Ababa 21 Feb 2002
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The AU is long overdue. In my view the sytematic fragmentation of Africa to serve the needs of its colonial masters was the single most devastating set back on the continent. We need integration to improve our continent. What is happening now is that we are competing among ourselves to better serve the Europeans. This has led to the devaluation of our National currencies when our governments knew that our balance of trade with the West is still a deficit- thus lowering the standard of living in most African countries.
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I must admit, the current set of leaders will not deliver, but I am very optimistic about the future leaders. The way to start, is to eliminate the barriers. Geographical as well as psychological barriers would have to be removed between the countries. This will lead to more understanding and collaboration between citizens in their endeavors towards better lives. The West will never help us solve our problems and we must be weary of organizations such as the UN, IMF and the World Bank. These are the real problems disguising as our friends.
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Leaders whose only interest is to build legacies for themselves as opposed to building strong economies have no role to play in the new Africa.
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A better Africa should be the ultimate goal of Africans on the continent as well as those in the diaspora!
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Lamin , Gambia 21 Feb 2002
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The question before us is not as whether we will have an African Union (AU) but rather how unrelentingly we will support it. Remember, it is not Africa against itself but rather African against the world.
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It's naive to suggest that South Africa will suffer economically with the continent's economic integration. This is tantamount to suggesting that South Africa is unique and therefore separate from Africa. If that's the case, then, South Africa should not be called by its name.
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In the United States, for example, there are some barren states, which are economically obsolete and some states are economically sound but all combined, they make the USA a super-power. The issue of African Economic integration as it relates to South Africa should neither arise nor distract our focus to uniting Africa. All African states and their peoples have suffered economic exploitation, political oppression and social degradation through colonialism, imperialism or otherwise. We're in the same bed and boat. If resources from Nigeria or Kenya can save a child's life in Somalia or Lesotho, then All Africa will stand tall and face the world with dignity. None, is going to lose. It's my hope that soon we will tranform the African Union into the United African States (UAS).
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God bless Africa.
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Julius Kenyatta, Atlanta, USA.
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Rebuild Africa with the people
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I have read all the comments that precede mine. I am addressing my remarks to those who support the AU (OAU) plan. I believe that South Africa made a good start. However, it failed to make use of the grassroots' potential for rebuilding the country. It started with a top-down liberation plan. If it had harnessed the considerable experience grassroots people possessed and integrated it with the top-down process, it would have made a great deal more progress.
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This is my suggestion for the AU: buy materials and liberate resources that could be used by grassroots people to participate in rebuilding the continent.
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For example: purchase material for people to build their own homes instead of imitating the public sector of economically strong countries, where they go and build homes. People would appreciate the economic problems that governemnts face, but also feel motivated because government cares. In other words, engage ordinary folks in the magnificent task or reclaiming Africa.
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Elizabeth Thaele-Rivkin, Syracuse NY 20 Feb 2002
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It is boring and unprogressive to read negative comments from racists doubting that Africans can unite and form a political and economic union. The debate should centre on how best to achieve union, not whether we should have one or if it is possible. If Europe, the incubator and battlefield for so many wars can unite, so can Africans.
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Specifically, I want to endorse the need for broadening African unity to include the African Diaspora, both old and new. Investment, tourism, trade, information exchange, advocacy, etc are all worthy areas for cooperation between Africans at home and abroad, but we should also consider the more innovative trends such as repatriation and reparations.
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If the Jews and the State of Israel could get so much aid as well as special compensation,from the European countries, including Germany, and from the USA, then Africa is owed a great deal for the Slave Trade and Colonization, by those who benefited most from those eras, at the expense of Africans and of the continent's past, present and future state of development and integration.
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It also behooves Africa to bring back at least some of the descendants abroad who want to return and resettle in the motherland but who may need help to do so, such as a welcoming government and population, land grants for homes and businesses and special status under immigration laws, to ease the transition and resettlement.
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The back-to-Africa repatriation movement is particularly old and strong in the Caribbean, especailly in Jamaica, and among Caribbean folk in North America, the UK and other parts of Europe. Special programmes and incentives are also needed to attract home those Africans who have gone abroad in more recent decades in search of educational and employment opportunities or to escape conflicts and persecution at home.
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Lorna Davidson, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 20 Feb 2002
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Can economic integration be achieved in Africa?
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--To whose benefit?
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--At Whose expense?
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The question of economic integration must be addressed by assessing the two following afore mentioned questions. If economic integration means the economic power houses stand to benefit at the expense of the poor, then, integration is actually counter-productive. However, it can be a noble idea if integration guarantees the creation of stimulants for economic growth vis-à-vis economic cooperation/integration.
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This is only achievable through the aspirations of a progressive elite class empowered with the vision that creates avenues and institutions of exchange albeit political, economic, or social, for long-term sustainable growth. The question that must follow then is how progressive are the leaders of Africa? Is their progressive nature a facade to appease western demands, or is it a genuine sensitivity to the plight of the African peoples?
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If it is the latter, then over time, we will see economic integration become a reality. However, this does not address the influence of outside forces.
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Regional trade agreements can move African to a better negotiating bloc on the global markets, but in order to succeed, a coalition of non-African states must be encouraged so the coffee producer collectives can manipulate prices to the benefit of all coffee producing countries.
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Another factor that must be addressed is the culture of corruption and the absence of legitimate institutions where alternatives to violent protest can be encouraged. However, all of these can only be achieved through the will of the power elite, who must relinquish some of their hegemonies for the sake of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
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The future of Africa lies in the hands of those in power. The fact that Africa remains a place where power is not the asset of the intelligentsia, but rather an asset of the military, reinforces the argument as to why war seems to be the only means of protest. Unlike the West, where power is an asset of the intelligentsia and economic elite, in Africa, power is seized by the military in which sometimes members of the intelligentsia are co-opted as puppets of the regimes. To have a power switch, the intelligentsia must skillfully create an avenue of cooperation and eventually take back the power.
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This can be skillfully done from abroad. Economic integration can also create an economic elite separate from the government. This growth could also secure political power over time, for the sake of protecting their interest. This would be a better group to lead because, they tend to desire the maintenance of stability because stability means economic growth from which derives economic benefit.
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Economic integration however, must not mean privatization for the benefit of transnationals. If the motives behind economic integration are globally driven for the benefit of the West and capitalism, then all African leaders would be doing is creating the mechanism for the recolonization of the continent.
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The ultimate goal of economic integration must be to benefit and improve the lives of Africans by creating new avenues of trade and creating and African bloc in terms of economic negotiations on the world markets.
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Axel M. Addy, Los Angeles, CA 19 Feb 2002
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Economic integration cannot succeed without political stability. Any African Union must maintain an all african military which would have the right to intereve to restore and prevent coups and the such. As Nkrumah said Africa must first obtain the Political Kingom-unity, and then everything else will fall in line.
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DA, blackstate.com
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The idea of an African Union is the way forward, but if we are going to pin our hopes on our corrupt leaders to implement this idea, then we are going nowhere.
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The AU leadership should be shared not through party politics, but by intergrating traditional authorities in the leadership chain. Then we will see some changes. Let us not forget that this discussion/debate is being carried out by a small minority who have Internet access. So the message is not getting through to the people in general, who should also take part in this powerful discussion.
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When are we going to stop discussing and start acting? When are we going to stop talking and start doing? We can have this discussion for as long as we wish, but it won't have any effect unless things start moving. We have all the resources that we need. So what are we waiting for?
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LK, UK
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I am skeptical about the so-called African Union. Ghadaffi of Libya, was told by Arab dictators to carry his whacky ideas of Arab Union somewhere else. Where do you think he picked? He picked Africa because, there he finds a bunch of hustlers who masquerade as Heads of State. Ghadaffi foots the $1m bill to launch the African Union. All he wants to do is to control people.
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I think African governments must work hard to take care of their people in different countries. This, they have not done. They cannot even provide the basic needs of their citizens. Why do you think they will succeed in forming a union of 54 countries? Be for real.
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Sesay Ahmed, USA
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My comment on this issue is that Africa does not care for her citizens. When a group of people are in power with their political party, they only think of their family or how to send all the country's money overseas. The money stays in the bank and if anything happens to the sender, the foreign bank will take the money; if the country of origin wants to get the money back, the bank will refuse, and that's all. I am just trying to say that Africans can help themselves if they want.
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Abele, Las Palmas de Gran Canarias Spain.
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I am glad to see that we are having this debate (though I see it's serving as a soap box for most people rather than a debate forum). Therefore, I'll like to add my personal contribution (however small it may be) to a few of the ideas presented above.
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Since I heard about the AU, I've been measurably excited about the prospects of Africa finally rising from its depths of tribalism, colonialism, failed governments, military leaders etc. Measured, because there is no guarantee that the AU will succeed.
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Which Plan?
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Some of the comments posted here have advocated Africa coming up with its own plan. It is my understanding that the AU is Africa's own plan. I presume they are really saying that Africa should come up with another plan, perhaps because, based on its proposals, they do not like the plan or simply because a similar plan has been implemented by the EU and they would like to distance Africa from the "colonialist" as much as possible.
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I would like to say that the reason the EU and USA are in such unions is simply because they work. Therefore, to sit around for another 40, 50 or 100 years trying to come up with a better plan that's different from a union of states (EU or USA) is simply reckless and unnecessary.
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Solve national problems first
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Some have suggested that a Union will cause the stronger countries to share the fate of the weaker ones. Or perhaps the continent will find a happy medium between strong and weak. I personal subscribe to neither of these assertions, simply because no country, be it the so-called stronger African countries such as South Africa, Nigeria etc., or states such as Texas or New York in the US, or Germany and England in Europe, can be truly strong. Imagine how much power Texas could have over Africa, or England by itself? Texas only has world power as part of a bigger union, the USA. Along those thoughts, any one of the African countries cannot truly become strong and have global significance without the support of a union. Case in point: the state of Massachusetts, one of the most powerful US states, has tried in vain to apply pressure on Tibet/China on human rights grounds to no avail. Now think how much pressure the USA has applied on other countries and how effective it can be...
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Why an AU?
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An AU will allow the strong and weak countries to negotiate a better position in the world (one of the main goals of the EU). Some have mentioned here that developed countries provide subsidies to their "lazy farmers" while complaining that Africa cannot subsidize its hard working farmers. Individually, African countries cannot negotiate with the US on such an issue simply because the individual country is irrelevant to the US. If the country refuses to abide by the US's requirements, it will simply take its aid elsewhere.
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If an AU with a consensus were to approach the US during negotiations (something the US will not have with most African countries), the US would be more susceptible to either dropping its demands or investigating other alternatives. This is because, as some have mentioned here, Africa is one of the richest continents. The US cannot afford to say "no" to an AU if it will result in higher prices in the US.
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In other words, the US and other countries are driven by economic reasons that no individual African country can significantly impact but an AU can impact enough to cause the citizens of a US, EU etc, to take Africa seriously. I see this as being extremely important because instead of asking that the developed world stop marginalizing us, we can demand that they do. This is what a successful AU can do; the key, however, is that it will need to be successful and that, as they say, is the hard part. A successful AU will empower all of Africa, not just the strong countries.
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Some countries will leave others behind
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As for some countries in Africa benefiting at the expense of others, I think that that sentiment is perhaps part of what has kept Africa back (including everything else). Simply not trying to improve all of Africa because some countries may not benefit as much as others may even be considered very selfish. I believe we are at the point where we MUST forge ahead. I believe any temporary expense incurred by the weaker countries will be improved well past anything they could achieve alone without the AU.
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Also, the countries that are helped most by the AU will have to help the others. Take the US for example, I live in the north-east. I pay extra tax on my phone bill that goes directly to help bring telephone service to others who live in less developed parts of the US and couldn't afford it otherwise. Africa will have to implement similar legislation. No Union will have equal benefits for all of its members, but legislation and other tools need to be used to help distribute the gain brought about by an AU.
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If citizens of the so-called "selfish rich countries" are willing to part with some of their cash to help their fellow citizens, I see no reason why we Africans should want to do any less. Unless we are more selfish.
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Corrupt leaders
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On the topic of corrupt leaders, I believe the tide is turning. Democracy is becoming more and more "visible" in Africa. Not all so-called democratic African countries are truly popular democracies but by trying to imitate democracy, these military strong men who would at other times have been content being military leaders are admitting that what they are doing is wrong. They are admitting that they are guilty and that the people deserve democracy.
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I think we can count such countries as 'halves', which is better than zero. I believe a successful AU will help convert these 'halves' to 'ones'. But it must be successful to be capable of doing this. A properly functioning AU should give the democratically-elected African leaders the leverage to apply pressure on the corrupt leaders ( who don't listen to their own people) to reform. It's all too easy for a corrupt African leader to dismiss non-African concerns of corruption using colonialism or other tools. However, theoretically, this is something the AU should be immune from.
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Of course, such corrupt leaders can always accuse the AU of being a tool of the non-African entities...
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Expatriates
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Axel Addy suggests below that "Africans need to look at how Jews outside of Israel operate and implement that model". I believe that Africans outside of Africa can play a very important role in Africa's empowerment and improvement.
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Africans outside of Africa (as a group) can be a valuable partner of the AU. The Israel lobby in the US is perhaps the most important tool of the Israel state. They ensure that Israel get as much as US$3bn in aid yearly. It's time Africans outside of Africa got together to try and help mother Africa. I believe we can be instrumental. Sure we will not get $3bn but, as they say, anything is something.
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The AU should hold a conference for Africans outside of Africa to try and encourage them. Perhaps inviting Africans from all continents to Africa for a one-week seminar on how we (as Africans outside of Africa) can help Africa from the continents we live in may be a fruitful goal.
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I certainly would like to help but would prefer to know that a) my help is being effective as I believe Africa has no time to squander help and b) know the AU is listening and that any help will have a positive impact and not simply be wasted. Perhaps the AU should appoint an AU representative for "Africans outside of Africa" who organize and oversee these "Africans outside of Africa" initiatives.
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In closing...
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I'd like to say that I strongly believe that the AU is the future of Africa. The AU, at this stage, can be molded into whatever we Africans need, to ensure that Africa succeeds.
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The AU does not have to, or perhaps should not, replicate the USA or EA. However, having an AU should be a goal. I believe the OAU could have addressed some of these issues, but alas, the stigma attached to the OAU and the "failures" have been so many that we are better off starting over. Yes, with the AU we have a clean slate. We should make the best of it.
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Mark Peters, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Africa`s teeming problems(bad leaderships) will neither be solved nor alleviated, even if this integration factor were to be achievable. It is a fantasy soaked in foolhardy and wanton disregard for analysis.
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To attain such a cultural and economic climax is presently outside the reach of our blessed continent.
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The problems besieging our beautiful and majestic continent are still those which the facilitator of this debate on a wasteful and un-achievable topic of "Integrating prodigal-led African countries" gloriously exhibits.
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African countries have to individually discover for themselves that the enemies of the African people are the European and American institutions and governments that continue to underhandedly meddle in African affairs, to the detriment of Africa and its people, who help to install bad and worthless leadership in Africa.
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Dr. Ike Regals, Atlanta, Georgia
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Whatever it's called - African Union, Organization of African Unity - the idea of economic integration is only as effective as the commitment behind it. So it's not a question of the idea, it's a question of whether African governments have the resolve needed to take advantage of the well-known economies of scale to provide the average man, woman and child in Africa with a better chance at living.
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Nwabu Nnebe, USA
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It is clear that first, infrastructures must exist and second, must be integrable before one can realistically speak of integration.
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Given Africa's lack of same, it would seem that infrastructures must be specifically designed to fit into the overall plan, that is, if one expects to compete globally. I do not think Africa has the time to meander toward a globally competitive economy.
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So, how does one design an infrastructure? Is it done with the participation and cooperation of the people? Or is it imposed? Who will volunteer to be a "loser" in order to advance the economic "good" of the continent? I don't see such a thing happening en masse.
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Africans should consider carefully whether they have to follow, so exactly, the Western pattern of development.
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Jesse Hutton, USA
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If you create an African Union to solve your state machine problems, you merely create a new state machine problem.
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I firmly accept the motto: Corrupt regimes are best which govern least; and African governments are best that govern not at all.
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The desirable transitional path for an African union is problematic. It is hard to support expansion of the state when it is the state that one opposes so fervently. Also, it is difficult not to advocate the abolition of Corruption, IMF and World Bank, tribalism, wars, etc, which are an important means of subsistence for the ruling classes of African society.
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Perhaps the most viable intermediate alternative would be to expand voluntary alternatives to oppressive state machines, such as self-help projects, cooperatives, worker-owned firms, or whatever else free people might establish to fulfill their own needs while they enlighten others.
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Joram, Kabale, Uganda
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What is the point of integrating African countries economically, socially, politically etc., when few of them are actually surviving?Taking a bunch of politically and economically unstable countries, throwing them together and expecting them to flourish is grasping at straws where there are none, or attempting to reach some sort of Utopian ideal.
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How can the different African countries be expected to live and work in harmony when they are clearly unable to do so within their own countries? The "weaker" countries are likely to cripple the "stronger" countries, thereby ensuring the mass infrastructural, economic and political breakdown of Africa.
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Let the progressing countries grow as they will, at their own pace, so that they can assist their neighbours, rather than dragging them down for an ideal that is doomed to failure.
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Chantelle de Nobrega, Cape Town, South Africa
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Perhaps the most important factor that will determine the success of the African Union is our relationship with former colonial powers.
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Us africans need to realise that colonialism is not yet over. We need to state our case and do so clearly. Today we are under colonial rule in the form of economic slavery. Every cent that Africa has the ability to generate belongs not to us but to the IMF and the World Bank. We need to mobilise a serious resistance to this debt trap which is continually being worsened (deliberately, I might add) by their punitive economic reform policies.
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How can the US, which spends billions of dollars subsidising lazy, loss-making farmers in their agriculture sector, tell us we are not allowed to subsidise our starving, hardworking subsistence farmers?
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How can they tell us to open up our markets when they refuse to even allow basic goods into theirs because they want to protect their multi-billion dollar industries?
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Some of these policies are hardly well known but they continue to cause suffering and hardship in Africa. Also most of the conflict on the planet and the dictators are the making of US and European tinkering. We must make them take responsibility for buying blood diamonds, plundering our oil, instigating coups.
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I agree with those who are advocating an interest group to sue all those who mistreat Africa and Africans and that we must get those big countries to take responsibility and pay up. They continue to thrive on the anarchy on our continent.
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At the same time we need to mobilise ourselves and rediscover our values. Weak leadership is hampering our progress.
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Gama Bandawe, Malawi
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Aren't you ashamed of yourself for still fooling the African people with senseless discussion that will never be put into action? Please stop these lies and ironies and leave us alone. The funniest part in all of this is that most of the ideas you have posted come from Africans or people staying everywhere in the world but the continent itself :Big and Beautiful Africa . peace
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AB, Africa
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The African problems will never be over unless the Africans themselves put away their greed for money and stop the corruption of the wealth of their people. I tell you, the AU can only be powerful unless the leaders respect their own views and work towards it. Without that we will only be putting old wine in new bottles.
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During the old days of Africa our people never knew that diamonds were money making, so they sold our people for material things. These days they have turned to stealing the diamonds and putting the money in their pockets. They must first of all respect the laws of their own countries before they can respect the laws of the AU that they are going to put together.
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My fellow Africans, I suggest that the AU should first of all form a strong military wing that will deal with any leader that will not respect the laws of the organization and collect taxes from every African in order to support the organization. The AU should form an aid department that will help refugees and build schools in all areas where they don’t have them. The organization should only elect trustworthy people.
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Douglas Pailow, Sweden
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As long as Africa is reliant on the bankrupt IMF, World Bank and any present dying monetary system nothing will work. Africa must scrap the whole system and start anew.
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For the system to work, each national state must have banks that protect their people first. Payment of the debt has to be no.
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Two: Africa must ask Lyndon LaRouche , the genius International Economist and forecaster, for a good plan. You must go and learn New Economics as propounded by Larouche Jr. now. Visit his website.
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Africa is only being used and genocide is happeing through disease, IMF etc and is the order of the day. All this can change if people and their welfare are put first.
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African minerals must be used to improve African lives. Shame on African leaders just like they sold fellow Africans in slavery. History repeats itself again. They have squadered Africa's riches and eslaved Africans again with a debt.
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Christine Kaluma, USA
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The African Union is the best idea that has come out of the continent in a while. Europe is uniting. So is Asia. The same thing is happening the Americas. They are now building strong economic blocks and if Africa is to survive, they also must come together.
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I believe the African Union will succeed because never has there been so much suffering inflicted on a people at a single point in history. It is imperative that we succeed because only then can we check the excessive abuse of power by most African leaders. The ordinary African is tired. He is tired of being exploited by his own brother in whose hands he has placed his economic and political future. Our leaders have raped our economies and taken all the money to foreign banks for themselves and their families. That era is fast running out.
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Therefore, it is the duty of all Africans who believe in equality, justice, peace and social well being to support the Union without reservations.
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The way I believe we can build this Union is by making sure that all those leaders who think of themselves and not the good of the people are not allowed to hinder the development of this body for truly it is our only hope. I know we will succeed because GOD is with us.
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Takor Takor, United Kingdom
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These are a few thoughts on Africa before we can engage on any constructive debates. Africa needs to change its worldview and attitude about its painful past.
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AFRICA MUST MOVE ON
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On October 4th 1994, the former economic development minister in Tanzania, A.R.M Babu, published an article in the New Vision entitled: CRISIS WILL UNITE AFRICA.
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In his article, Mr Babu argues that the bloody crises that were occurring in Africa, were the result of the failure, by the African leaders after independence, to undo the pseudo-nation-states that colonial rulers had left behind. In other words, he argues that African leaders, those who took over from the colonialists, kept colonialism intact, in the absence of the colonialists.
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There seems to be both moral and ethical implications to such an argument, and if it is proven to be correct, it must raise multiple questions for the present day African thinkers and their leaders. Suspiciously though, there seems to be a tendency to try and explain any present failures as emanating from the colonial era rather then finding meanings in both the continuous colonial legacy and the present challenges that the young states of Africa are facing in the ever changing international system.
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It is, however, undoubtedly common among humans that they, after any impact making occurrence such as colonialism, or world wars, will tend to use it as a point of reference to either present failures or successes. One example of this is the argument by some well renowned thinkers that the end of the Cold War has given way to the rise of terrorism. This implies that, if the Cold War were still here, we would not experience the internationalization of terrorism to the extent that we know it today.
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The question that arises here is whether the reference to past events, in order to explain the present is but an excuse by human beings that are faced with the inability to explain that, which is beyond their understanding. Or is there really some reason to believe that such events such as colonialism are the source of all our failures?
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It is undoubtedly true that we cannot lay the entire burden of Africa’s bloody conflicts on the colonialists and colonization alone. Nonetheless, there is sufficient evidence to believe that colonization, and mainly the colonial legacy, as left behind and inherited, has a part to play in explaining some of today’s African conflicts.
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Arguably, independence was preferred to colonization because African leaders and their peoples wanted to restore their human dignity and do away with the pain and the suffering that the colonial system was inflicting onto them. How on earth could it then be possible that these independence fighters could have decided to keep intact, that, which they were fighting against?
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Following this line of inquiry, there seems to be but two ways to come to terms with this apparent contradiction. On the one hand, it is less likely that the leaders might not have seen anything wrong with the colonial system as such. From this line of thinking their revolt against colonization could be explained in terms of fighting to cease the power of self-determination.
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On the other hand, one might argue that the African leaders after independence knew that the colonial system was not good but that it had established structures necessary, in some states, for a viable future.
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In this way, the attempt to keep these structures resulted in keeping the whole thing intact and made it difficult for them to separate the colonial way of life from the colonial structures that might have been in need. In other words, they failed to beat the system and decided to join it.
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Suppose that the second assertion was right, on which terms would the leaders of the newly independent Africa have been unable to change the colonial way of life and give new life to structures that were left behind? One important piece of evidence here might be the presence of many companies still at the mercy of the colonial tendencies (owned by Europeans) either directly or indirectly through the use of proxies.
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If this were the case, it must have been difficult for the leaders to change and let alone to nationalize these companies because they did not possess the tools of economic and to some extent political development at their disposal. For those who attempted to nationalize such companies, the outcome was even worse. Such was the case of the Zairianisation in the former Republic of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo.
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The temptation was therefore, to continue with the old system because it had the expertise and the motherland was always happy to send in a few experts to help and at the same time safeguard her interests.
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Another phenomenon to refer to is the ability of the motherland to lay foundations that were to enable her have a grip on trust territories even in her absence. Thus one would only have to note the creation of the Yaoundé lines of association and the Lomé structures thereafter.
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Having said this, it is almost 42 years since the first African State became independent. This span of time should surely have produced some outstanding African talented thinkers and writers who, equipped with the necessary tools of change, could have helped their leaders to undertake programmes of transformation in the continent.
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Institutions and structures could have been put in place to allow a transformation to flow and root itself in the continent, to enable Africans to carve out the new African identity for a better future. Regrettably, four or so decades have passed by and Africa is still in turmoil. Kwame Nkrumah’s call for a united Africa has remained a dream still to be realized and thank God, he has not lived to see how his call was not just absurd but also impracticable.
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We will not shut our mouths unless engulfed by mother earth. This call is still resounding today and it is the condition sine qua non for any stability in Africa and the element par excellence towards a stable development in the continent. There is no need to rethink Africa geographically today. It is appropriate that regional groupings be formed outside the geographical boundaries and should sustain some level of stability and loads of co-operation amongst African regions.
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The way forward is the revitalization of African Pride, the pride that is based on communitarian aspects of life, protection of the people, their life and property, and their rights. There is need for any African leader to develop a feel for the people as a whole rather than clinging to tribal and individualistic tendencies.
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Bolombe L. Joseph, London
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The African Union, a new wine in an old skin?
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Africa has been the subject of many development prescriptions and lofty visions, which some people may have lost count of. We have had the Lagos Plan of Action, APPER, UN-PPARED, UN-NADAF,UNTACDA I, UNTACDA II, IDDA, UN-SDI, TICAD I, TICAD II, Lome Conventions, SAPs, AF-SAPS, etc. etc. In 1991 when the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Commuity (the Abuja Treaty), was signed, there was a belief that the continent had at last settled on a final blueprint towards its transformation through integration. That was not to be.
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Whether or not we now have the "Eureka" in the AU and NEPAD remains to be seen. I think what is most needed now to move this continent forward is more on action and less on words. Many hope that the AU and NEPAD will be the last of these "deja vus". The EU set out to have a single currency by January 2002, and they surely did have the Euro as planned. Let's hope the AU and NEPAD will deliver on their promises for an integrated and a better Africa.
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Dan Frank, Addis, Ethiopia
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An African Union is a novel idea. However the pertinent questions that need to be addressed are at whose benefit? If integration means uniformity for a creation of a bigger market for transnational domination, then integration is neocolonization and the NGO's are our new 'missionaries' there to pacify us for the world order?
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Integration is positive only if it means that Africans are no longer the chauffeurs of but the drivers of Africa's destiny. African unity can only be materialized when Africans are in absolute control of their resources. So long as transnationals continue to dictate the policies of our governments, unity only stands to enslave us in our own homes.
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One then may ask about some prescriptives. Well, unity in Africa can not be defined by Western interpretation. Unity thus must mean first social integration and mutual respect. Africans must learn to know their neighbors and create conditions for ideological exchange.
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The Union of African states economically could bring about benefits for all, but in Africa exists a leech called the corruption culture. So long as this culture maintains power, Africans will forever be enslaved by western ideologies and interventions. To deal with this culture of corruption, one must strangle this beast. But strangulation cannot come from within, it must come from without.
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The majority of the African intelligentsia are in exile. Under normal circumstances, this class would be the state and power class, but they are not. To strangle this beast Africans in exile will need to unify, forming a consortium that will lobby when necessary, sue when necessary, overthrow when necessary, and enforce when necessary. When transnationals pollute Nigeria, they will sue the BP's for the world for environmental damage.
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There is a new world order, Africans need to look at how Jews outside of Israel operate and implement that model. Integration takes decades, sometimes centuries, but it first starts with the re-socialization of the peoples perception of government. We have a long way to go, and some more wars to fight. African Union-ideology/theory, African Union-material/reality? Well, the struggle continues?
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Axel Addy, Los Angeles, CA
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If we haven't seen any changes the OAU has bought about for decades for the African nations we do not have any confidence in the proposed AU. With the old selfish presidents we have in power, we are still going to lag behind when we are the major continent with all the resources.
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All the propositions of the AU are just a theoratical imitation of the EU model that would never work in an African setting. Africans should come up with their own model that is suitable for the African people but not grab some kind of European or Western system and impose it on poor Africans. The transition of the European Union has been implemented after a couple of decades! Do these African Presidents think it's something thats going to happen overnight?
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Luvaga R, Charleston S.C
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Its true that only Africans can solve their problems. What is inportant here for all of us is why Africa the way it is today.
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The aguement is very long as long as we live on the face of the earth. But history has shown Africa problems from slavery, colonialism and to present day lack of good leadership. Slavery and colonialism are of the past, but good leadership is what is still Africa's biggest problem.
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Most African leaders lack political maturity and have no regard for the people they govern. There is no proper check and balance system in place in order to scrutinize the activities of our leaders. They only surround themselves with praise singers to rape our economy more and more.
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Secondly we as Africans need to revisit the great ideas of people like Nkrumah, Sekou Toure and Lumumba, to name a few. From there on we can forge ideas together and move forward. This is a common problem and a common struggle for us all.
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No matter how long it takes us, we are determined and we can do it. From a seed a plant can grow. So there is no way African unity cannot come when we are ready for it.
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Suffice to say our leaders need to strengten more cooperation on trade and free movement of its citizens among member states. Abolish visas and work permits for all ECOWAS citizens. That is the way forward for mother land Africa.
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Thank you very much and hope you will organize many debates in the future.
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A Nasso, United Kingdom
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The idea of an African Union is a good one. Africa needs to be able to compete with the other world economic powers on an equal footing and the only way that is possible is when African countries present a united front representing all of Africa's interests. It is a long term process which, I believe, is possible because all across the continent,you will find young Africans that are progressive thinkers who are more than capable of grasping this idea and propelling to reality in the years to come.
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Franklyn T. Khoza, Lilongwe, Malawi
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The lofty idea of Africa Union was a brain child of President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, now of blessed memory, before some of us were born.
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As history has it,this idea led to his exile and death because his African brothers and sisters did not understand him or acted as robots to their colonial masters.
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These same colonial master are still in control of all our God-given natural resources after over forty years of so-called independence.
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Today if we think we are ready to stand for the idea of Africa Union, we must start opening Mental Schools for our leaders and most of us, for a change of mentality, to love, feel and behave African.
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If we all love Africa, then patriotism will follow suit and it will eliminate greed and selfishness which are the crux of our problems in our part as Africans; and in the part of all the multi-national co-operations doing business with countries of Africa the continet.
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With love and patriotism, to our individaul countries of birth, in what ever we think or do, then we will be patriotic to the Union.
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We can talk economics as Africans, and tell a country like France to stop cutting down our forest without replanting or love to know why Elf oil company of France operates in all the corners of Africa that have crude oil and natural gas, and do not care about economic and health issues of the people in these areas.
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The Africa Union is a wonderful dream that can only materialize if Africans believe in themselves to the point that they use the qualified chidren all over the world to develop Africa instead of hiring some High school drop-out from Europe and spending billions of dollars on them.
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Let us believe in the worth of the African children and put them to the task of developing Africa.
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The peace and development of Africa is in the hands of the Africans. No matter what aid we get from the so-called developed world, if we lack love and patriotism, we are going to go from bad to worse.
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Esimo Yamboka, Alexandria VA
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Africa's problems are Africa's problems and it is up to African countries to solve these problems as and when they arise. Every time there is a problem, Africa tends to turn to the western world to solve its problem. This to my mind is unacceptable in this day and age, it does not give Africa the sense of independence it deserves, a lot of us see it as colonisation in the new age.
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One example that would fall under this category is Uganda's Museveni and Rwanda's Kagame who were ushered to London and asked by the British Gov't to either get along or else. The plundering of mineral resources in the DRC by Uganda and Rwanda, which has also claimed thousands of lives is one which should have been dealt with by African countries; but the fact that they have failed to do so, leaves a daunting image for future leaders of Africa.
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Africa is the richest continent of the world, yet we cannot afford to feed, clothe, protect, nurse and educate our citizens without relying on foreign aid. When one depends on someone else for any form of assistance, then one has to adhere to the terms which comes with that assistance.
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Furthermore, you have heads of states who will not allow change under any circumstances, they will go to any length to maintain their grip on power. Surely for development to be imminent and for democracy to prevail, shouldn't we give way to the young ones who are still able to think rationally.
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It is time for Africa's leaders to wake up and begin doing what is in the best interest of the Continent. Otherwise what happened in the most of Eastern Europe is imminent in the near future.
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Samuel , United Kingdom
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The problem with economic integration in Africa is bringing together very diverse economies -- those which rely primarily on agriculture vs. those with mineral resources, for example. They tend to have different economic cycles, requiring appropriate economic policies for individual areas.
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In a union, there could only be one set of policies, which would, at different times, have a very positive effect on some areas, while other areas are affected very negatively. This also makes it much harder to control inflation. Thus, economic integration will work for some countries, but not for others.
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It will also mean much hard work by national regimes. Common trade practices must be tightly bound together. Imports must be closely tracked. There must be no room to get around the system -- somewhat of a cultural change which may not be viewed favorably by those carrying out the programs.
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PS, Arlington, VA
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