Kwame Nkrumah, the man that led Ghana to independence in 1957, originally muted the need for all African countries to come together as one nation, which he then referred to as a Pan-African government.

In recent years, colonel Gaddafi, who took over power in Libya in 1969 in a military coup, has continued the campaign from where Nkrumah stopped. Gaddafi is of the view that the African Union (AU) is a failure. He also claimed “Our micro-states have no future”

Those who support Nkrumah and Gaddafi proposals believe Africa economic and political development will accelerate if African put all its resources together and speak with one voice. They also point to the move by the EEC to form one nation, by gradually admitting every country in Europe to membership.

In 1957, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Rome, which formed the European Economic Community (EEC). Many European countries, including Britain that refused to join at the time have now signed up to the treaty.  Membership of the Union has increased significantly to include countries of the old communist regimes of Eastern Europe.

They say that economic, political, legal and social arguments in favour of the formation of one African nation followed the same line as the argument for the formation of EEC. They are amazed but not surprise that the division in Africa was once reflected in Europe when the idea of EEC was muted.

Some commentators also argue that the idea will work if it is initiated by Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa. Unity will help to bring stability to Africa. The sort of civil wars in Chad, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the genocide in Rwanda and Sudan that had set these countries decades back will never have happened.

Gaddafi’s main problem in convincing many Africans is mainly the contradiction he presents.

Firstly, Gaddafi is an Arab.  Majority of North African Arabs do not see themselves as living in or want to associate with “Africa”. The Europeans and the Americans have successfully created a new continent called the “Middle East” to the delight of the Arabs.

Secondly, would Libya and other Arab countries in Africa be a member of the United States of Africa as well as a member of the Arab League of Nations? This explains why some people argue that Colonel Gaddafi has a colonialist agenda to sell Africa to the Arabs!

Thirdly, Libya, under Colonel Gaddafi, funded and supplied arms to the notorious RUF in Sierra Leone. According to Gaddafi, he thought RUF were fighting a just war and as soon as he realised that RUF have diverted from what initially they wanted to do, he withdrew his support. Many believe that Gaddafi’s explanation of his conduct leaves a huge question mark on his judgement. 

Proponents of the United States of Africa argue that the current boundaries in Africa were drawn by colonial powers that appeared to have designed the African micro-states to fail. Africa is now free from colonial rule; it can redesign its future in its best interest. The myriads of problems currently existing in Africa will not all go away but it will be reduced and much easier to manage.

Africa is endowed with natural resources, which is the root cause of many of its problems. Arms exporters encourage the civil wars in African countries. Most of the corruption cases are fuelled by foreign corporations and banks that do not apply the same level of discipline and adherence to the rule of law in Africa as they do in their countries.

The idea behind the United States of Africa as promoted by Gaddafi rests essentially on the belief that coming together will resolve or reduce the effect of the problems created by lack of good governance in Africa.

There is nothing wrong with Africa as presently constituted. Africa needs to improve on its good governance strategy. Creating one African nation is not going to eliminate the problems created by dictatorship, corruption, accountability, transparency, and ethnic rivalries.

African countries will achieve internal unity when there is good governance. Size isn’t the sole determinant of success of any country. There are many small countries in the world that are far more successful than the biggest African country. It all depends on how the available human and material resources are managed.

African leaders need to discuss issues that are most pressing at this point in time. These include good governance, cross bounder trade agreement, joint ventures on science and technology projects, education, energy, telecommunication, transportation (financing trans-Africa highways and railways) and human rights.

African leaders need to implement an economic reform policy and market liberalisation that would encourage inward and foreign investments. The problem has never been policy formulation. Corruption and lack of political will have derailed policy implementation.

Africans must not allow themselves to be misled for one moment to believe that unity amongst them can only be achieved through a United States of Africa. Rather they should concentrate on implementing those strategies and policies, which have been proven to aid economic and technological development. Embedded in those policies are good governance and co-operation between nation states. Africans do not need to re-invent the wheel.

Is Gaddafi wrong or right? Whatever your view is on the matter, do remember this statement by Emperor Haille Selassie: "Throughout history it is the inaction of those who should have acted, and the silence of those who should have spoken, that has made evil to triumph"

Nosa Olotu, England

Robot  Villager

# 1 Africans must not allow themselves to be misled for one moment to believe that unity amongst them...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 01.07.2007 21:39

omakingbogun  Villager

# 2 Enough with this 'Bull' about United States of Africa. Most countries on the continent are engaged in one inter - tribal war or the other, and unity hardly exists in those not fighting each other. What's the point of all this aggrandisement. Let's find unity within all African countries first and foremost. Posted by omakingbogun| 02.07.2007 03:03

Just mii  Villager

# 3 :mad: Personally, I detest that idea. If any one is to push for it, not the person who wants to die on the throne on leadership as is typical with African leaders. Who gets to head the unity government? Africans are known to be power intoxicated. We can't pretend to be able to compete with the whites in that aspect Posted by Just mii| 02.07.2007 13:16

Enforcer  Villager

# 4 =omakingbogun;188527>Enough with this 'Bull' about United States of Africa. Most countries on the continent are engaged in one inter - tribal war or the other, and unity hardly exists in those not fighting each other. What's the point of all this aggrandisement. Let's find unity within all African countries first and foremost. omakingbogun, Gaddafi argument is that the lack of unity in African countries is the handiwork of western vested interest groups. He believes that the easier way Africans can overcome that is to come together as one nation. Left to me I will suggest Africa is reconfigured into 4 countries: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa and South Africa. Majority of African countries as they stand are not viable. Posted by Enforcer| 02.07.2007 16:22

Enforcer  Villager

# 5 =Just mii;188645>:mad: Personally, I detest that idea. If any one is to push for it, not the person who wants to die on the throne on leadership as is typical with African leaders. Who gets to head the unity government? Africans are known to be power intoxicated. We can't pretend to be able to compete with the whites in that aspect Just mii, The point you have raised actually justify having one united African nation. It will be extremely difficult for any one person to manipulate its way into power if Africa has one government. The formation of United States of Africa will require a constitutional framework that cater for current lapses in our ploitical system. The real question one should ask is whether this suggested cause of action is the best solution to Africa disunity and economic and technological development. Posted by Enforcer| 02.07.2007 16:28

omakingbogun  Villager

# 6 =Enforcer;188689> Majority of African countries as they stand are not viable. If majority of African countries are not viable in their current form, what assurances are there that with this proposed amalgamation, things will be better? It's a ruse by our usual overbearing leaders to unearth new causes to fight for in order to maintain their relevance in the scheme of things. First and foremost, we need to establish peace and unity amongst all tribes with the African continent. Afterwards, comes the issue of whether people really want to lose their identity as it is currently or maintain status quo!! Posted by omakingbogun| 02.07.2007 17:47

Just mii  Villager

# 7 What unity is this so-called African Union Govt (AUG) supposed to bring about? Handling the tribes in Nigeria alone is a tug-of-war with Niger-Delta still breathing fire and Bakassi ready to break away at the slightest chance? Go on to check the damages in Darfur and the almighty policies of Mugabe in Zimbabwe. How many years have Gadaffi been his country's leader? Is he the only one with a good head in his country? Africans have many many problems to solve and peace keeping to do than to start making countries surrender their sovereignty. Too bad the Nigeria govt. is in full support. OBJ almost succeeded in forcing 3rd term on Nigeria, isn't it possible for an AUG leader to succeed and stay there till he dies? I might not have the best opinion but these are my fears for the AUG. Posted by Just mii| 03.07.2007 08:13

Just mii  Villager

# 8 =Just mii;188824> and Bakassi ready to break away at the slightest chance? Point of correction, I meant "Biafra" not "Bakassi" Posted by Just mii| 03.07.2007 08:18

Just mii  Villager

# 9 I just read today's paper (This day) on Yar' Adua's comment on the AUG matter. These are his words at the 9th AU summit in Accra: "Dear Colleagues, there are clear and present threats and challenges which we must face up to. We cannot ignore the social, economical and political inequalities within and among our member States, which if not bridged, would pose daunting obstacles on the march towards viable political and economic union". I am very much in support of his stand. Wouldn't it be a shame to start what we cannot finish and then be a laughing stock? :icon_ques Posted by Just mii| 03.07.2007 08:45

Sapele Man  Villager

# 10 =Just mii;188833>I just read today's paper (This day) on Yar' Adua's comment on the AUG matter. These are his words at the 9th AU summit in Accra: "Dear Colleagues, there are clear and present threats and challenges which we must face up to. We cannot ignore the social, economical and political inequalities within and among our member States, which if not bridged, would pose daunting obstacles on the march towards viable political and economic union". I am very much in support of his stand. Wouldn't it be a shame to start what we cannot finish and then be a laughing stock? :icon_ques Hello Just mii, Nigeria is in agreement but she wants it to be gradual. The truth is that without Nigeria, Eqypt and South African agreeing to it there is no chance of it happening. Having said that, remember when the European Union was first muted Britain never thought it will work and did not join in. Today Britain is a leading member! Posted by Sapele Man| 03.07.2007 12:54

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