By Foday Njie, Kansas City
It is difficult if not totally misleading for one to conclude that a vision for unified government for Africa is just idealistic and not pragmatic in this natural world. This topic has been lingering in the minds of many Africans and their development partners ever since the beginning of the post independence struggle across the continent. Many concerted efforts are continuously geared towards the realization of this vision, but the reality presents major obstacles towards genuine progress for achieving this aspiration. These predicaments cannot be ignored and must be used as a weapon of strength and motivation for Africa’s effort to seeing the feature of the continent, a unified government for her people.
Several consultations within and outside the continent present underlying factors which need urgent attention to succeed in the realization of a United States of Africa. Some schools of thought might argue that - one of the most important aspects of any successful union for the continent should include, abandonment of national identity for all autonomous countries where by the whole continent be headed by only one President. In other words, a replica of the America system instead of the European Union model. I argue contrary to the former, in that this could be too much of a sacrifice for any independent country to accept, and therefore, not possibly viable for Africa. Evidently, some previous or even current political leaders would not only dismiss the above view, but would jettison any proposal that defies their bridle of power. Additionally, it is apparent that any plan under such arrangement would be an intricate one to present to individual African countries and their respective peoples.
Africa is encompassed with delicate social structures, a mixture of cultural divergence and major institutional communication barriers between countries. Historically, the languages of English, French, Portuguese with some segments of Arabic speaking countries in the northern part of the continent and few other officially spoken languages served as a formal communication mode for respective member states. There is no single indigenous language that is spoken across all African countries; it would be significant to adopt one major indigenous language that could serve as a medium of communication for the entire continent at local and continental level. Without doubt, our forefathers could not of any significant treat to hundreds if not thousands of native languages transcend this proposal to us.
Well, some readers might argue this modern day 21st century does not need the above proposal, since Language Translation Software (LTS) could answer that part of the problem. I disagree to some degree. I maintain that, it is important that a single African language be adopted and taught at grass root levels. This would help facilitate free movement of peoples and goods, and also serve as an established symbol of identity for Africa. In addition, it would help gradually build stronger ties within Africans. The realistic objective for this initiative is not for any short-term accomplishment, but a long-term attainment that would eventually establish itself as unique for the next generation of Africans to pride for a successful comparative language between member states.
It is absolutely true that the European Union did not adopt such approach but successful in their quest for a unified Europe. Therefore, Africa should just mock-up their aspirations for a unified government to the European Union. In retrospect, my argument stipulates the intricate social structures and other multifaceted aspects of cultural divergence in her formation (Africa).
Furthermore, other major fundamental aspects of any successful debate pertaining to this topic should include a proposal for member countries be prepared to give up some degree of their sovereign rights. I mean a real sacrifice; the level of inequalities between member countries in Africa is absolutely indisputable. Therefore, few powerful nations in the continent would have to take the lead in the form of finance and contribution of human resources for this vision. In addition, for a meaningful unification, Africans should opt for intellectuals and other technocrats to form continental government headed by a Secretary General and a Parliament/Senate with a strong judicial structure. Meaning, established executive, legislative and judicial branch equipped with powers to over rule member states, and a constitutional parliament/senate with some control over the secretary general. The unified government should have sweeping powers to recommend indictments, arrests and trial of any citizen(s) or subject (s) within and outside the continent for crimes they might have commit/committed within the borders of member states, and most importantly, no immunity for any political leader who abuse his/her power under the pretext of national security.
A United States of Africa would not only be seen around the world as a rich centralized government, but also an institute that would fight against her peripheral stand in global initiatives and most importantly her own social, economic and perpetuated appalling political situations. Another advantage to this proposal would be a collection of Great minds of Africa laying foundation for the next generations of Africans to protect the destiny of their continent by competing with developed nations on how and why state resources ought to be legitimately excavated and not exploited at the detriment of one, to the benefit of another. Furthermore, these Great Minds of Africa would lay down viable economic and political strategies that yield vibrant sectors of Africa’s economy. Africa, like most developing continents/nations continued to part-away with her most resourceful assets of any society, the young and the able body citizens as well as specialists in all sectors. One could easily relate to the various factors that contribute to high ratio of migration from Africa to the developed world, among them, political, economical and religious circumstances. As a result, achieving this visionary objective for a United States of Africa would not be an easy ride. It would be wise for African governments to take responsibility and implement measures to curb these fundamental issues for her people. Greed and self-centeredness does not only deter social progress, but also promote vicious circle of instituted hatred in society. Once again, our governments should have learned a lesson at this stage of their nationhood.
Mother Africa, vulnerable but a beautiful continent that has the potential to make this unified vision realistic. I did not have the privilege of traveling across the entire continent, but fortunate to have met large number of different nationalities of Africans. The level of intellect of these nationalities is immeasurable and the sky would be the limit if these Great Minds were genuinely tapped into for Africa. She is blessed with natural and human resources equal to other continents, that if collectively managed and properly utilized under the vision of a United States of Africa, there is a brighter feature for her generations.