African People Should Demand African Unity

The idea of African unity that is being remembered in Ethiopia today by African politicians who are not even interested in the idea is one that has captured the imagination of many Africans in the last fifty years or so. Even though this idea was spearheaded by politicians, especially Kwame Nkrumah, the idea has also been tacitly and vociferiously opposed by African politicians, especially by many presidents who are attending the ceremony currently taking place in Ethiopia. For many African presidents, the idea of African unity is threatening to their own well being. The idea is threatening because it will place them under increased scrutiny and limit their ability to exploit their countries as their personal properties. It is also threatening to the foreign masters in Europe, America, and Asia whom they serve. A united Africa is poised to make the continent less fragmented and so less prone to the machinations of foreign interests around the world whose goal is only to exploit the resources of the continent. None of these African politicians and their allies love to see an Africa which can be less exploited. Thus, left to these politicians and their allies who are currently meeting in Ethiopia, there will be no united Africa.

That is why the African people need to demand and work for African unity. Ordinary Africans need to cross the artificial borders that have been forced on Africans and preach the importance of African unity. African unity, as Kwame Nkrumah saw, would be a potent means for Africans to begin solving some of the daunting problems they face today because it would be easier to gather resources together and pursue bigger visions which the smaller countries we have today cannot pursue. There would be challenges but the challenges should not keep Africans from pursuing this vision. Those who are against the vision are the ones who often point to the challenges rather than the opportunities of the vision. However, Africans should cross the artificial borders that now exist and begin to work with each other to bring the vision of a more connected Africa that brings its vast resources together for the benefit of its people rather than the current fragmented Africa whose resources are meant for the benefit of warlords, strongmen and international interests. Africans should plan to meet the challenges of a united Africa as they arise rather than waiting until it is clear that such unity would bring not challenges. We would do nothing worthwhile if the expected challenges stopped us from taking action.