ACBF DEVELOPMENT MEMOIRS SERIES (DMS/002/2009)
It has been barely six years since the African Union (AU) was launched in Durban, South Africa – two years of interim operation, and four years since the first college of Commissioners was elected in Maputo (the two-year interim period being the transition from the OAU to AU). Now, the continent’s leadership is engaged in discussions in respect of the creation of a United States of Africa. However, what is it that Africans have achieved at the level of the AU that already gives us the assurance that we are ready to embark on the journey towards the United States of Africa? [...]
At present, national considerations over ride our march towards integration. Sovereign interests prevail over regional or continental interests. These are things that we hold on to too guardedly and jealously. The leadership may subscribe to certain decisions taken at continental meetings while not being fully convinced of their judiciousness, may be to avoid the risk of being accused of breaking ranks. But when it comes to implementation there is a concern that the decisions taken collectively will impinge on sovereignty!
Author(s): Vijay Makhan