-(FROM THE STAFF CLOSELY WITH (« FACE 2 TO AFRICA »).(« INTRO », « THE CONCLUSION » and Follow-up » ARE FROM THE « STAFF »)(Chief Editor)-(Yves T Bouazo)-(MEDIAS MIROIR)
(…)-In (1979), (BOB MARLEY) recorded an african album ,an ostentatious dedication to the motherland(Africa),when pointing out (2) great committed lyrics Titled:(« Africa unite » and « Zimbabwe »)!(4) decades later,the unification of the black continent seems to be utopic and far today,due to lack of a real political will and government:(« african pupets in power »),corruption,greed and tribal wars.etc…
-In consequence, Let’s remind the Great Verses of the Late (Bob Marley)(« African unite »):(« Africa unite, because we are moving right out (Babylon)(first world) and we ‘re going to our father’s land.How good and how pleasant, it would be before (God and Man) to see the unification of all africans »).
-Today in the (2000s), when the delegation of african union and african diaspora Leaders met at (Schomburg) Research center in (Harlem) in (New York)(USA),(Abdoulaye Wade),former President of (Senegal) called upon Leaders of (Africa) to ensure the realization of the united african vision in (2017)!
-(1)-( « The Late Muammar Gaddafi’s Touch on the Spotlight »):
-Before them, (Muammar Gaddafi) of (Libya) had made a similar call when he was elected as the (Organization of the African union) chairman in (February-2009) in (Ethiopia),(Gaddafi) demanded at the time that the continent should own and use a (« Common Currency,Passeport, and Military Force).He further strengthened his claim at the African Union Summit held in (Kampala, capital of (Uganda) in (2010)!, reiterating his proposal by adding that he believed (Africa) could achieve more and ward off foreign control and relinquish the continent’s reliance on aid.He garnered support from former Zimbawean Leader (Robert Mugabe) who also believes the (United states of Africa) could be the unifer the continent needed after after the divisions instituted by Colonialism.
-However, his proposal was criticized by Leaders such as:(South africa’s (Jacob Zuma) who believed that (Gaddafi’s) stance was only to enable him to exert control on the whole of (Africa).Down the line, some african Leaders including (Leopold S Senghor) of (Senegal) and Leaders of (Nigeria),(Liberia) and (Ethiopia) who were referred to as (« Monrovia Bloc wanted unity ») to be achieved gradually which (Africa) remains a continent of independent states.Their idea is what remains today.It has been (62) Years since (Dr Osagiefo Kwamé N’kruma)(full panafricanist and first president of independent (Ghana) from (1956 to 1966),proposed that the countries in Africa unite into a federation but it still remains an idea that looks impracticable.Here are some from factors that hinder the long-cherised dream of a united states of (Africa) in the (21st) century:
-(Number 1):
Africa is still plagued with the cancer of xenophobia in some areas.For a group of people who belong to the same continent with a common interest, it remains a shocking fact that (xenephobia) would count as a hindrance to achieving African Unity.Xenephobia keeps reemerging every now and then does not seem to go away.
-(Number 2):
It seems the continent enjoys trading with countries outside the continent than they do with their neighbours trading among sub-saharan countries is reportedly very low.They, however record higher trading activities with country outside (Africa)
-(Number 3 « ):
Travel within the continent is unbelievably more expensive than air travel outside the continent.Despite the air travel Liberalisation policy in (Yamoussoukro)(ivory coast) in (2000).Air travel is still quite expensive in (Africa).Countries of the continent are farther apart as compared to their distance from (Europe).For instance, it would be take a person about eight hours to travel from (Johannesburg) in (South Africa) to (Dakar)(Senegal) while it will take six hours to travel from (Lagos)(NIGERIA) to (London)(Uk).
-(Number 4):
Independence granted to African countries is as best a belief.In reality,,many countries in the continent still have ties with their colonial masters for help.Economies are hardly controlled by governments as most the aid received from these powers are inevitably accompanied by laws that some how affect their economies and sovereignty.
-(..)-(« Down the line,can the african Unification hopefully come true for the nex generations one day?Where there is a Will, there is also a way, by sheer perseverance and an unshakable faith »).Time will tell!