The Need For AU To Re-brand Itself
NEWS COMMENTARY
The AU Day has come and gone, with many asking questions about its relevance in today's global politics, and why the day be declared a
holiday. It must be stated that only five African countries declared
the day a holiday, while the rest and those in the Diaspora marked
the day with activities in remembrance of the toil, blood and struggle of their brothers and sisters, for the political
independence of the continent.
President Kwame Nkrumah and his fellow freedom fighters had a vision of ensuring the independence of all African countries, the formation of an African military command and
a common currency. However the formation of the military high command and the common currency still remain a mirage.
The emergence of daunting economic challenges, diseases, poverty and security threat from extremists call for a rethinking and rebranding of the organisation. After 50 years of existence, AU needs to restrategise and review its mandate for the total unification of the continent in the likes of EU and USA.
For those born in the late 80s and 1990s, the AU may not appear to play an important role in the affairs of the continent, but the fact still remains that the vision of the founding fathers is not completely fulfilled.
On the economic front, the AU and
other sub regional groupings like the ECOWAS, SADC, COMESA are
struggling to assert themselves on issues of the EPA and intra-African trade.
Most African countries especially in the francophone bloc still
prefer dealing with their former colonial master and hardly show
commitment to the cause of the AU. This dichotomy has been and
continues to be a thorn in the flesh of AU. There is also the
unfulfiledl vision in the realisation of a common currency, if not at the continental level but at least at the sub regional level.
The same mistrust is seen displayed on the issue of an African military command that will be empowered to deal with issues of insecurity on
the continent. The Ugandan minister of Justice and president of the Pan-African movement is of the view that instead of establishing bases in certain parts of the African continent, the United States of America should rather build the capacity of the various armed forces
for the formation of the African High military to counter any
terrorist acts.
Unfortunately, this is not the case and it is feared that the US and others world powers have ulterior motives in the establishment of the bases.
Admittedly the continent is plagued with negative traits such as high poverty rate, diseases, conflicts, and corruption. Whether these prognosis are true, remain a challenge to the AU and its member states to confront.
With the evidence on the ground, one will not blame the younger generations, who out of desperation, are compelled to go through harrowing experiences just
to get to Europe and the Americas where conditions are far better.
For the older generation, there is a lot to celebrate, but the onus lies on them to re-strategise by preparing the younger generation to take over the baton for the fulfillment of the total independence of the
continent.
There is the unfortunate perception, that Black people
are incapable of doing anything right. As Africans , we definitely reject such assertions. The odds are damned against us and we have to do everything to prove such sceptics wrong. The flame for African emancipation must be kept alive and the young must be groomed to believe in themselves and achieve what others have been able to achieve.
We must step up the sensitisation of our young people who are being brainwashed to think that the best come from Europe, Asia,
and other regions outside the continent. Our eminent traditional
rulers should be more involved in the realisation of the ideals and vision of the forefathers of the AU.
The AU Summit should stop being a
gathering of heads of state and government, but rather include
African traditional rulers who have the interest of their communities at heart.
It is time as Africans we proved our skeptics wrong by exhibiting
exemplary leadership skills and found solutions to the problems
plaguing the continent. It is only then that any celebration of AU day will be seen by all as a worthy exercise full of relevance to the continent.
GBC
The AU Day has come and gone, with many asking questions about its relevance in today's global politics, and why the day be declared a
holiday. It must be stated that only five African countries declared
the day a holiday, while the rest and those in the Diaspora marked
the day with activities in remembrance of the toil, blood and struggle of their brothers and sisters, for the political
independence of the continent.
President Kwame Nkrumah and his fellow freedom fighters had a vision of ensuring the independence of all African countries, the formation of an African military command and
a common currency. However the formation of the military high command and the common currency still remain a mirage.
The emergence of daunting economic challenges, diseases, poverty and security threat from extremists call for a rethinking and rebranding of the organisation. After 50 years of existence, AU needs to restrategise and review its mandate for the total unification of the continent in the likes of EU and USA.
For those born in the late 80s and 1990s, the AU may not appear to play an important role in the affairs of the continent, but the fact still remains that the vision of the founding fathers is not completely fulfilled.
On the economic front, the AU and
other sub regional groupings like the ECOWAS, SADC, COMESA are
struggling to assert themselves on issues of the EPA and intra-African trade.
Most African countries especially in the francophone bloc still
prefer dealing with their former colonial master and hardly show
commitment to the cause of the AU. This dichotomy has been and
continues to be a thorn in the flesh of AU. There is also the
unfulfiledl vision in the realisation of a common currency, if not at the continental level but at least at the sub regional level.
The same mistrust is seen displayed on the issue of an African military command that will be empowered to deal with issues of insecurity on
the continent. The Ugandan minister of Justice and president of the Pan-African movement is of the view that instead of establishing bases in certain parts of the African continent, the United States of America should rather build the capacity of the various armed forces
for the formation of the African High military to counter any
terrorist acts.
Unfortunately, this is not the case and it is feared that the US and others world powers have ulterior motives in the establishment of the bases.
Admittedly the continent is plagued with negative traits such as high poverty rate, diseases, conflicts, and corruption. Whether these prognosis are true, remain a challenge to the AU and its member states to confront.
With the evidence on the ground, one will not blame the younger generations, who out of desperation, are compelled to go through harrowing experiences just
to get to Europe and the Americas where conditions are far better.
For the older generation, there is a lot to celebrate, but the onus lies on them to re-strategise by preparing the younger generation to take over the baton for the fulfillment of the total independence of the
continent.
There is the unfortunate perception, that Black people
are incapable of doing anything right. As Africans , we definitely reject such assertions. The odds are damned against us and we have to do everything to prove such sceptics wrong. The flame for African emancipation must be kept alive and the young must be groomed to believe in themselves and achieve what others have been able to achieve.
We must step up the sensitisation of our young people who are being brainwashed to think that the best come from Europe, Asia,
and other regions outside the continent. Our eminent traditional
rulers should be more involved in the realisation of the ideals and vision of the forefathers of the AU.
The AU Summit should stop being a
gathering of heads of state and government, but rather include
African traditional rulers who have the interest of their communities at heart.
It is time as Africans we proved our skeptics wrong by exhibiting
exemplary leadership skills and found solutions to the problems
plaguing the continent. It is only then that any celebration of AU day will be seen by all as a worthy exercise full of relevance to the continent.
GBC
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