25 May, 1963. Heads of State and Government from the independent countries of the African continent converged in Addis Ababa at the invitation of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia with a bid to develop a strategy to break Africa free from the remaining shackles of colonial rule. The Conference was also to consult on what might constitute the most appropriate approach for redressing the divisive legacy of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 and to propel Africa forward with unification as the ultimate objective. It will be recalled that the forces of European colonialism had gathered in Berlin from November 1884 to February 1885 to partition Africa into a multitude of small politico-administrative units, driven exclusively, as they were, by the need to enhance and maximise their competing economic and political interests. The balkanisation of Africa was thus consummated, putting a heavy strain on the values of community and social solidarity which had deep roots in the continent.

The Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) was thus born on 25 May, 1963, a product itself of a compromise that was hammered out between the two major schools of thought that had emerged in the preceding years on the alternatives open for the unification of the continent represented by the Casablanca Group and the Monrovia Group. The first group advocated a rapid programme of unification around the creation of a central government and the reversal of the colonial legacy of artificial boundaries. The Monrovia Group, on the other hand, was for a more gradual approach that would recognise the boundaries inherited at independence and build continental unity, step by step, through a functional system of economic and political cooperation culminating, in the long term, in a politically united Africa. The OAU was the result of a compromise and was established as a pan-African framework for the fostering of cooperation among African states and the total liberation of the remaining countries still under colonial sway. Indeed, there was no dispute as to the need for African Unity. The debate was rather on the modality for its realisation and the speed with which it should be achieved and the form it should take.

It is within that mindset that in the years that followed, a number of regional economic cooperation and integration arrangements saw the light of day and countless institutional mechanisms were established. However, as is evident, very little progress has been registered for a variety of reasons, not least among them the perennial insufficiency of financial resources, with a lack of political will to boot. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since the founding fathers of the OAU congregated in Addis Ababa. The OAU has since given way to the African Union (AU), launched with great pomp in Durban in 2002. The leadership of 1963 has changed. The resolve for unification has not wavered. But the same debate remains alive. Though the two Groups exist no more, the same schools of thought have persevered and continue to hold sway. But the current leadership is nowhere near acknowledging this continued divide. Yet again, the AU has emerged as a compromise between the same two schools of thought, albeit with different proponents. The thrust for a United States of Africa paradoxically continues to divide.

The present leadership continues to discourse along the lines of unity, a lofty ideal, but unattainable any sooner. How can one really proclaim the imminent advent of a United States of Africa, with a central government, when such issues as harmonisation of policies, free movement of people, language barriers, multiple membership of regional economic communities, different legal, fiscal and monetary regimes, divergent negotiating approaches and above all intra and inter-state conflicts, to name but these few, continue to prevail and obstruct. What is the point really in singing the praise of unification in that perspective without any readiness to give up certain aspects of sovereignty? If one is truly serious about the creation of the United States of Africa, then the question of ceding a certain degree of sovereignty has to be addressed. This is fundamental to any venture in that direction. Paying lip service to such an ideal, delivering impassioned discourses thereon will not take Africa to that goal any time soon unless courage of conviction underpinned by time-bound actions are taken.

And for that to happen, the governments need to carry the people with them. Everybody must be on board. Nothing near that is happening anywhere in Africa. Even the findings and recommendations of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities on the Audit of the African Union (of which the author of these lines is a member) set up by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra in June 2007, which were delivered within the time stipulated, that is December 2007, are still the subject of debate within the Council and Assembly of the AU. Yet, the recommendations do chart the way forward in the midst of what is perceived as insurmountable obstacles!

How does the saying go? where there?s a will, there?s a way? But how many more Africa Days will go by before we can truly have cause for celebration?

Happy 45th anniversary Africa!