By Mike Omuodo
From a web-based publish, a commentator requested an intriguing query: “If the African Union (AU) can’t create a single foreign money, a unified army, or a typical passport, then what precisely is that this union about?”.
The remark part went wild, with some commentators saying that AU not serves the curiosity of the African individuals, however relatively the pursuits of the West and particular person nations with grasping pursuits in Africa’s assets. Some even mentioned jokingly that it must be renamed “Western Union”.
However critically, how has a rustic like France managed to keep up an financial leverage over 14 African states by way of its CFA Franc system, but the continent is unable to create its personal single foreign money regime? Why does the continent appear to be snug with international powers establishing their army bases all through its territories but doesn’t appear concerned with establishing its personal unified army? Why does the concept of an open borders freak out our leaders, driving them to cover below sovereignty?
These questions interrogate AU’s relevance within the ensuing geopolitics. Little doubt, the AU remains to be related because it nonetheless speaks on behalf of Africa on international platforms as an emblem of the continent’s unity. However the unease surrounding it’s justified as a result of symbolism is not sufficient.
In a continent grappling with persistent battle, financial fragmentation, and democratic reversals, establishments are judged not by their presence, however by their affect.
From the chat, and a number of other different dialogue teams on social media, most Africans are sad with the efficiency of the African Union thus far. To many, the group is out of contact with actuality and they’re now calling for an instantaneous reset.
To them, AU is a membership of cabals, whose essential achievements have been safeguarding fellow felons.
One commentator mentioned, “AU’s essential job is to congratulate dictators who kill their residents to retain energy by way of rigged elections.” One other mentioned, “AU is a bunch of atrophied rulers dancing on the graves of their residents, looting assets from their individuals to stash in international nations.”
These views could sound harsh, however are a great measure of how individuals understand the group throughout the continent.
Blurring imaginative and prescient
The African Union, which was established in July 2002 to succeed the OAU, was born out of an bold imaginative and prescient of uniting the continent towards self-reliance by driving financial Integration, enhancing peace and safety, prompting good governance and, representing the continent on the worldwide stage – following the top of colonialism.
Over time, nonetheless, the hole between this imaginative and prescient and the truth on the bottom has widened. AU seems helpless to handle the rising conflicts throughout the continent – from unrelenting coups to shambolic elections to exterior aggressions.
This power weak point has slowly eroded public confidence within the group and as such, AU is being seen as a discussion board for speeches relatively than options – simply as one commentator places it, “AU has became a farce discuss store that can’t again or chew.”
Name for a brand new physique
The overall feeling on the bottom is that AU is stagnant and has nothing a lot to point out for the 60+ years of its existence (from the occasions of OAU). It’s additionally seen as toothless and subservient to the whims of its ‘masters’. Some commentators even referred to as for its dissolution and the formation of a brand new physique that will serve the pursuits of the continent and its individuals.
This seems like a no-confidence vote. To regain favour and stay a power for continental good, AU should undertake important reforms, improve accountability, and present political braveness as a matter of urgency. With out these, it might endure in type whereas fading in substance.
The query just isn’t whether or not Africa wants the AU, however whether or not the AU is keen and able to develop into the establishment Africa wants – one that’s daring sufficient to provoke a daring transfer in the direction of a typical market, a single foreign money, a unified army, and a typical passport regime. It’s attainable!
Mr. Omuodo is a pan-African Public Relations and Communications skilled based mostly in Nairobi, Kenya. He could be reached on mike.omuodo@mediafast.co.ke
