The African Union and the United States of Africa Project. A Dream or Reality.

There has been increased talks in recent years about the need to create a united states of
Africa; reinvigorating the dreams of the forefathers of the OAU (Organisation for African
Unity) such as Nkrumah, Nyerere and Kenyatta. While controversies persist, leading to
divisions amongst African leaders on the form which a united Africa will take, many have
simply thrown the idea to the bank of illusions. Such opinions and stand points about the
union government as an illusion could stem from ignorance of the origin and relevance of the
project as well as the egocentric desire to protect personal ambitions. It is therefore worthy to
set the records straight here while pin- pointing some challenges and making proposals that
can be relevant as policy options for the success of this continental initiative.

The idea to create a Union Government for Africa all stemmed from a proposal by the Libyan
guide Mouamar Kaddafi, considered by the Assembly at its 4th ordinary session in Abuja in
January, 2005, on the creation of certain ministerial portfolios for the African Union. The
Assembly accepted the pertinence of the proposal and decided to set up a Committee of seven
Heads of State under President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda to examine the proposal in all its
outcomes. The Committee, in its report, submitted to the Assembly at the 5th ordinary session
held in Sirte, Libya in July 2005, expressed the view that the spirit of the proposal went far
beyond mere creation of ministerial portfolios in certain areas of activities of the Union. It
therefore recommended that there was need to work towards the formation of a Union
government for the continent. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the
African Union, at its 8th ordinary session in Addis Ababa from 29-30 January, 2007, decided
that the next ordinary session of the Assembly to be held in Accra, Ghana in July, 2007, was
to be devoted to a “Grand Debate on the Union Government.” Meetings kept piling up right
up to the 12th summit in Addis Ababa in January 2009; yet no concrete decision was taken.
Rather the process became more confusing as even the background concept of the Union
Government was not made clear. With the confusion, reticence and apathy, the question we
now ask our selves is to know if the idea of creating a Union Government for Africa is
possible, what therefore will be the best form of Union Government, much suitable and
feasible for the continent.

What will be the best form of a Union Government for the African Continent? Proposed
form of a Union Government

Against the above backdrop, we propose that the Union government should take the form of a
Federation following the American model, where, existing States will maintain their authority
while obeying to a supranational collective entity, acting like the centre that will oversee the
actions of the national governments which will become federal units. This supranational entity
or federal centre (which should be performed by the AU in the meantime) will act like a
watchdog, checking the governance mechanisms and institutions of national governments or
federal units and ensuring that the real beneficiaries of the Union Government which are the
African people (masses) are treated properly. By proper treatment, we mean; respect for
human rights, access to basic needs such healthcare, employment and education, eradicating
poverty by ensuring self sufficiency and economic development, democracy, good governance
and socio-economic inclusion of all ethnic and religious groups in to the society. This form of
Federated Union Government in our opinion should take place independently of the RECs
(Regional Economic Communities), given that for more that 40 years of talks of an African
Unity through the RECs , the continent has not achieved any major integration. Rather, there
has been a sort of balkanization or the creation of “mushroom” economic blocs sometimes
within the same regions which has added to the complication and confusion. For example,
despite the existence of the East African Community (EAC) in East Africa and SADCC-
Southern African Development Cooperation Conference in Southern Africa, there was the
creation of another inter-regional economic bloc called Preferential Trade Area for Eastern
and Southern African States (PTA) which later became the Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa (COMESA). Thus, the existence of a multitude of economic groups creates
divided attention on the realization of the RECs and thus slows down the African Unity
agenda, reason why we think a Union Government should proceed irrespective of RECs.

To support our view on the political form of a Union Government, we believe that setting up a
Union Government characterized by a total relocation of power and authority of the present
national governments unto a centralized supranational body will be unrealistic and might
finally destroy the hopes of African Unity. Drawing inspiration from the 9th Summit of the
Assembly that took place in Accra, Ghana in June-July 2007, we notice a specific interest by
most Heads of State to the impacts such a Government will have on State sovereignty. Indeed,
the particular interest which African leaders accord to their sovereignty has been the major
roadblock to the progress towards a Union Government. National sovereignty is so closely
guarded and the leaders would not admit loosing their “hard earned” sovereign powers to a so
called supra entity. They also fear that the establishment of a supranational structure or entity
that will oversee their governance will expose their long-shaded undemocratic and dictatorial
systems. In fact, it is the strong nexus that exist between the Heads of State and sovereignty
that is working against the formation of a Union Government. As long as leaders are not
guaranteed the safety of their power interest, whatever advantage of the Union Government
for the African people would only assume a second position; their political interest coming
first. This may justify their preference in almost all the meetings, for the strengthening of the
existing organs of the AU such as NEPAD, Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Peace and
Security Council (PSC); to the radical political power centralization of the continent. That is
why we believe in the federalism based on the American style where the leaders maintain
some form of authority (power) but are overseen by a supranational entity.

Things to Consider in the setting up of this Union Government

For the successful establishment of the above proposed form of Union government, certain
things must be taken into account.

 It would be preferable for the AU to start the Union Government with just a few
technical and strategic organs. The proliferation of organs makes the financial load
even heavier that this could discourage member states contributions as the financial
demands to manage these organs will be too much for them to handle. Organs that deal
with key sectors as agriculture and rural development, health and education which
directly benefits the grassroots population should be given preference.

 Integration being a cumulative rather than a spontaneous process, a Union

Government as proposed above should begin with a few States which are hegemons or
poles in each region of the continent. Since disagreements arise on the nature and
scope of the Union Government; States based on their economic and demographic
strength should act as the locomotive for the Union and later on pull the rest of the
regional member states.
 There should be an ownership by the African people, principal beneficiaries of the
project. Africans from North, West, East and South should feel united. The concept of
a Union Government should remain a thing of the Heads of States and government. To
achieve this, integration should be strongly worked out at national levels. Democracy
and human rights at national level should be respected; the youths should be involved
in decision-making processes at the national level, which will be a form of training
ground for them to take important decisions at continental level.

 Leaders should establish a common linguistic ground for a Union Government, given
that Africa has inherited a complex linguistic legacy (Spanish, Portuguese, French and
English). This multiplicity and difference have a divisive impact and does not promote
the needed continental cohesion.

To conclude, we strongly believe that a Union Government for Africa based on American-
styled federalism can best work in the present continental context while taking into
account the above mentioned considerable.

Author:

Mbuli Rene
MA in International Relations
Special Focus in Peace and Conflict Resolution

Affiliation: President of the Association of Young Peacekeepers for Peace and

Development