Why Africans Should Take Keen Interest In Matters Unity And Organization?

The people of Africa did show much resilience and successfully resisted the colonial regimes until they attained self-rule. Our independence as a people has come a long way, yet there are still critical sectors that we have not achieved to our potential. 

UNIA flag

WHY AFRICA? asks the questions of where, how and why we have not fully developed our continent and its population as many would wish.

Continental  Foundation Of Africa

African voices in Addis Ababa, in May 1963 were just but a crude blueprint of the future of the continent after many years of colonialism. This comes after looking at how the continent has progressed so far as many of its states celebrate independence days.

It is without a doubt that the future and the prosperity of all people of African descent living in the mother continent or in the diaspora are wholly or partially connected to the existence of the African continent. 

But, real questions asked are; do the African people take a real and keen interest in the factors that influence their destiny.

Dr. John H. Clarke stated clearly: 

If we are going to be masters of our destiny, then we have to take part in factors that influence our destiny.

 

The destiny of a sovereign people lies in several factors e.g. unity, organization, human social development, etc.

African Unity And Organization

Why is it that African states in the mother continent are still affected by disunity, and disorganization in nearly all major aspects that influence their destinies? 

Many African states have celebrated their independence days in the last couple of weeks, but that is the independence which is not satisfactory to the critical interest of the larger population.

On 25^th May, Africa’s freedom fighters assembled in Addis Ababa with divided minds, opinions and thoughts. Present then was the Casablanca group which wished for an immediate African continental government, and the Monrovia group which articulated a gradualist approach to continental unity.

Nonetheless, the most crucial point taken from the assembly was the importance of unity and organization. His Majesty Mwami Mwambutsa IV, then the King of Burundi, mentioned, “a divided Africa, will always be a dominated Africa.”

Our future as a continent lies in the unity of our member states, even though the Casablanca group didn’t succeed, the Monrovia groups’ wish for a gradualist approach can still achieve us the much desired continental unity.

The Democratic Republic of Congo joining the East African Community is not only significant for the prosperity of the block but also a significant execution of the Monrovia bloc vision. 

However, it is also very critical for many of Africa’s states to open up their borders and establish common laws and regulations for the sake of economic and political integration.

The new East Africa Community after the admission of DRC into the bloc.

Why is it that most of Africa’s states in the mother continent still limit their borders with several immigration laws and colonial hangovers, when it is clear that we share similar cultures and traditions?

Why do we confine cultures in our small circle when we have one of the largest continents in the universe to explore? A culture must grow and integrate so as to form the highest breed of one strong, united culture that can uphold the interest of our large populace.

Most of Africa’s member states should provide; a favorable environment for any African citizen to travel, stay or leave, unbiased work permits, access to opportunities and equal treatment in employment, etc. 

The unity of the continent lies in the cohesion of its people and their cultures, only then shall we stand to form a united bloc that will ensure the destiny of the African populace is not left for fate to decide.

Why Does Progress Seem So Slow In Africa?

59 years down the line after declaring ourselves independent of colonial rule, we still shed our own blood, and trek towards civil wars and bloody political tensions. 

Africa waking up to a massacre in Cameroon when gunmen killed twenty-four people in Anglophone Cameroon, is not only bad news for the African unity dream but also a sign that much work is still needed to attain the Monrovia bloc's vision.

Why should we kill each other because of cultural, religious, political and economic differences when we are much capable of undertaking a peaceful resolution to our conflicts? 

Why should we not focus on the right enemies which are poverty, disunity and disorganization?

On 25^th May 1663, in Addis Ababa, Tunisian head of state Habib Bourguiba mentioned that:

Independence establishes claims to dignity but does not entirely satisfy that claim, because dignity is only accessible to people freed from hunger, sickness, and ignorance.

 

Our nations must work together to mobilize our resources to eradicate poverty, improve our infrastructure and more than most establish strong states that only a united people can achieve. 

The Soviets did it, the United States did it, England did it under Athelstan, and The African mother continent can do it because in unity according to Kwame Nkrumah, lies our strength.

Why Africa? Is a question that seems to be obvious to many African minds but the real answer to such question lies in the future of the people that call the African continent home!

Additionally, more of our member states should join or adopt The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) established in 2001 by the Organization of African Union that advocates for Pan Africanism and African Renaissance to be integrated into our governments to help achieve economic, social and human development on a pan African pole of excellence.

Technology, science, religion, politics and all social laws should be executed from a Pan African point of view because they influence the African people in different ways and manners. 

We should also take part in decisions and factors that influence our cultures, and traditions hence our destinies, yet still not ignore the intercontinental cohesion and integrations.  

Why Africa should take a keen interest in matters of unity? Is a question that must be addressed with much keenness because in its answers lies the skeleton blueprints of our future as a people.

Contact via call/Meta at 0741377074 to grab a copy of POLITICIAN X by Kisao Fidel to read more on matters influencing Africa’s development from religion, philosophy, history and science. A nice book worth reading!