African leaders argued fiercely on Monday over whether to rapidly create a single state stretching from the Cape to Cairo, with one small group threatening to break away and forge ahead with the project.
Delegates said the atmosphere in an African Union (AU) summit was charged as a group of states led by Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Senegal’s Abdoulaye Wade argued with a more gradualist majority led by South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki.
“I think everybody is a little bit tense, because they know how serious this is,” Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio said.
“It is getting heated between Gaddafi and the southern Africans,” said one delegate, who did not want to be identified.
While almost all the 53 member nations agree with the goal of African integration and eventual unity, most of the summit leaders want this to be a gradual process.
Gadio held out the prospect that a small group of states committed to creating a United States of Africa could push forward without the others and sign up to federation, ironically splitting the AU over the idea of unity.
“If Senegal wants to build this union with two, three, four more countries, there is not a country in this room that has enough power to tell Senegal you cannot do it,” he said.
Kwamena Bartels, information minister of host nation Ghana, attacked such a strategy.
“It would be useful to all of us that there is no such breakaway group. Africa could do with a united front,” he said.
“Setting up breakaway groups is not really the answer,” Bartels added, saying only Libya and Senegal had so far openly backed an immediate federal government.
These two, apparently backed by about three or more states, want a unity government as the only way to fight poverty and other challenges facing Africa, including globalisation.
MATTER OF SURVIVAL
“Some of us think that Africa’s unity has become a matter of survival … my president is here with his pen ready to sign,” Gadio told reporters.
“Some will start and the others will follow. … Now, who is ready to start? Senegal is ready.”
Gaddafi, known for his impassioned rhetoric, was more restrained on Monday despite a speech on the summit’s eve invoking the spirit of pan-African icon Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence 50 years ago, to support his vision of a United States of Africa.
Asked by a crush of journalists during a summit recess whether he was optimistic about unity, Gaddafi, wearing dark glasses and a black cap, declared: “I am always optimistic.”
The Libyan leader, describing himself as a soldier for Africa, is impatient with the slow pace of integration. He did not attend the summit’s opening session on Sunday and believes the decision over unity must be made by Africa’s masses and not leaders closeted in a conference hall.
The summit leaders have come under criticism for largely ignoring pressing issues such as Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe at this meeting to concentrate on unifying the continent.
Many Africans regard this as an unrealistic, if noble, dream. Sceptics point to decades of wars, coups and massacres that often sprang from ethnic and religious fault lines on a continent artificially carved up by former colonial rulers.
The summit continued into the evening on Monday and Bartels said the debate was unlikely to be “crystallised” until midday on Tuesday, the meeting’s final day. (Additional reporting by Orla Ryan and Salah Sarrar)
Well unity sounds good then I can move from Cape to Cairo Selling my best Zambian Kandolo(sweet potato) without these funny tarriffs and customs nonsense. Anyway Southern African leaders like power and to be in control even our own LPM. Mbeki wants to even go for a third term for his party like FTJ. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are calls to even amend the national constitution to allow him be president for a third term. SO I see where these leaders are coming from.
I think people should be free to move and live where they want and a united Africa will be a great step in that direction.
SO my Children will have to learn French, English, Portuguese and Arabic? Well no problem, I guess since I can speak English, Njanja, Bemba, Tonga, Lozi & Tumbuka. They would cope just fine.
It would be easier to create an economic union first before a united political state of africa can be even considered.let the leaders work out tariff free arrangements for goods across the continent.eventually people too will move between regions thereby increasing integration among peoples.At the moment(as christians) we trade with muslim countries but are we comfortable living among them and according to their rules.only years of barrier free trade will create a commonality between the different ethnic regions of Africa.political unity at the moment is impossible as each region has it’s own distinct political culture.The leaders should just work according to the principle of “continental integration through trade”. the closer we get to this the more feasible the currently impractical ideal of political union will be!!!
I agree with Pundit#2, economic union comes first. Just imagine, if broaching the subject can stir such emotion, what more a rushed intergration?? We would probably see the “First African Continental war!!” Best advice is, leave it for now!
First building infrastractures like goods roads and railways connecting all countries, before we can start talking of political unity. Without these driving forces of the economics all efforts will be fruitless. Mobility and business require good network Infrastrucures. This includes ICT.The EU has come that far they started with industrial revolution, yet not all are members. After this having a common currency is key element in this unity government process. Already NGOs at UA Summit have introduced a green passport for Africa these are essentives we need. We should stop cruel visa system among africans. Recently I read a very disturbing article where a french embassy has to issue visas for people travelling from one african country to another.IN Ethipia workers from EU get a 2 residential permit whereas an African will only get 3 months but they are doing the same job. Remove all be biasness, unhuman device, treat pipo as equal, then the process will evolve its self. One Africa
dreamz,check your back yard first,before you ask for extensions.
Pundit (2),
I equally believe that continental integration is collectively in our best African interest. But that would not be attainable if it is heavily left to progress at political level first without some parallel economic treaties enhancing the desired process. As much as leaders may show political will for integration, the idea must be sold out to the population first and foster appreciation for the move which would consequently create a bottom-up integration. So far, we can only see a fluid top-down approach hence many Africans out of the idea. Besides trade tariffs, market sharing, immigration, currency matters and security, mechanisms for resource sharing and infrastructure development must be clear and acceptably binding considering the existing economic disparities. Countries such as Zambia will have to painstakingly look at the whole USA package. God forbid any repeat of our colonial experience in the failed reunion among Nyasaland, Northern and Southern Rhodesia. The federation used Zambia to build the Mashonaland and Matebeleland to the detriment of Zambians.
The united states of Africa cant work. These leaders should be practical.We have too many barriers between us.We should not be in a rush to copy things just because the Americans did it and the Europeans are on to it does not mean Africa has to do it
# 1 you are right African leaders love power that is why USA wont work for Africa.They are also selfish and lack integrity.Besides what are the real benefits of USA?
ba 1# collect your information right and stop misleading people. Who told you that Mbeki wants a third term. If any thing its only lobbist who have fear to lose their jobs once Mbeki go. Plz read different sources of news and listen to radio and attend meetings to get the right infos from the horses mouth. Anyway its African way of doing thing bickering and bicklering and without action. Your friends in Britain has enacted a law to barn smoking in public places. So waste time talking about individuals at the expense of development. The world is global village and changes are very rapidly and we shall always be trailing.
#1 Chanda Phiri; My bro, it seems you are not appreciating the gravity of the situation in Africa. The US of Africa can not be rushed and it will need major issues to resolved in our separate economic zones before we can move to your fantasies of your children speaking french and portuguese. Look at the East African community of TZ, Kenya, Uganda plus the other, they are still failing to come up with one president for the region because they have seen the disparities in economic devpt within the member states. How do you intend to come up with a united africa when some of your brothers are still not agreeing with who is better to lead there countries affairs. Dafur, Ivory coast, Somalia have critical humanitarian issues which need urgent attetion. we dont have an economic roadmap yet for the united africa. social issues that cut across africa have not been adressed. we dont understand how egyptian live and yet you want to go there and sell Kandolo. Be realistic, this project is massive
great success comes with great sacrifice….why are we scared of change??? the old way hasn’t been working, so y not try a new approach??? i think its worth a try!!
If local African politians cannot unite,what more about the continent?
African never ceases to amuse the world!
Easy # 9, The correct situation is Thabo Mbeki wants to stand for a third term, He indicated his willingness on TV with millions watching.The only difference with FTJ’s third term is Mbeki only wants to stand as a party president and not as a republican president.He obviously wants to influence the selection of the next president and he has every reason to.
USA in Africa cannot work. First of African leaders are selfish because everyone wants to be President. Sencondly there will be more ethnic tensions (though not war) in the continent.
What is important is to first economically (not politically) integrate regionally, e.g Southern Africa on its own, East Africa and so on. By economic integration I mean, having a single passport and an economic union regionally. Once this works, then we can have polical integration regionally. And if this works again, then we can start talking about USA frica. You cant just work up from your little bed and say USA in Africa. It cant just work. There will be more problems than it is now. We know African leaders. West African guys or Arabs cant imagine being ruled by a Southern African.
#9 Ba Easy, you are a great analyst and awesome contributor to this blog, but ba mudala, I think on this one you are being naive or don’t know how African politics works. It’s not so much what they say. It’s what they don’t say and African leaders are good at this. Get cadres to blow the horn for you and you sit back quite as though you are being forced. FTJ played this one so well and being Zambia, I thought you would pick this Mbeki strategy so easily. It’s really a no brainer. What these leaders say in public is all spinned out and you really have to go past spin doctors and don’t take what they throw in public as total commitment & truth.
I believe Mbeki wants a third term. If he doesn’t want nobody would force him. People would have forced Mandela. He is a true icon than Mbeki. But Mandela was clear. Am done and am out of here and that is why today he is a true African hero. These other just want to be forced.
I actually think the USA wont work because of greed among leaders.
Its too early for a United states, however,we appreciate their efforts now as they will form a basis for a future unity say 50 years from now.
15 Chanda Phiri, correct if doesnt want to go Mr. Mbeki the law will force him unless you pipo you want him. Boys we have to be strategical and not power cling pipo.So Ba Chanda you meaan even LPM doesnt mean his words when he say after 2011 he will be irrelevant. The problem is we African we give pipo names. For instant Kaunda how many times did he resign as prime minister and president. Some of you, you were not born 1969 it was the first KK gave up power but you pipo called him back. Did you read that A Night without a president. In 1988 what did KAvindele do to Zambian pipo? If Mbeki want to first president of Africa let him do so because this individual should not be chosen among the current presidents. Look EU has a very big problem to find leadership that is why they have had 6 months period. Now they are looking for a longer term.
Yes Easy the law does not allow him to go for third term for SA, but these people can change laws. Of course don’t believe what LPM says about 2011 until he is out. FTJ was on record that he wont seek third term..it was even on state house website, but when the time approached he drummed up the third term bid that messed up MMD and gave birth to Ba FIDIDI. This generation of politicians is not to be believed on what they promise, but what they deliver
Can someone educate me on how successful are the regional treaties i.e SADC,ECOWAS,etc and then extrapolate these successes towards a unified Africa? I know EU is 50 years old but they started from somewhere to be where they are today,even then they are not 100% attainable they still have stumbling blocks like UK.AU can only succeed if our regional treaties score immense successes,in all the parts of Africa we have these treaties.
well said Chanda Phiri, you seem to know the in and out of African politics. These leaders say one thing and do the other. I dont trust LPM when he says he will be irrelavant in after 2011. As for the USA, we need not go that route. Africa is too messed up to even dream of being one country.We are fine the way we are
Africa used to be one country thousands of years ago, so we have actually passed that stage of unity i dont understand why we should go back.We were 1 country before the Europeans colonised us and when we stayed divided they are now influencing us to be united again. Africa is the only exception to the rule of united we stand divided we fall
#21 Bantu migration rings a bell, no wonder our language lyrics are similar all over, but I want someone to educate me on #19, paparrazi mwaice fumya data epo inshilaya kuma order
An immediate United States of Africa in my opinion is not feasible. This is a major decision which should not be made at the spur of the moment without the consent of the people. People need to be consulted via refranda in all the Countries wishing to be part of this political union. A gradual process is therefore needed. Even the United States of America did not become united at once. Others States joined as and when they were ready. Of course others it was through conquests. The coming up of the EU has been gradual. Other Countries wishing to be part of the EU have to, among other conditions, hold refranda for their nationals to consent. If Senegal and Libya are ready to join the Political union, let them go ahead. My view is that Zambia is not ready because Zambians have not been consulted. Very few Zambians, if any, know the shape this union will take. Is its constitution already in place? What will happen to the Sovereignty of individual countries?
We need to welcome RSA to the real Africa. When i was there for a meeting i was introduced as someone from Africa, the mentality instilled in them by the boers still lingers that they are not part of Africa. So for Mbeki to agitate for a third term just goes to show that indeed SA is part of the confusion.United States of Africa is not possible unless pipo like South Africans change their attitude towards fellow Africans, The same with Zimbabweans who think we owe them by passing thru their country,Just like the Congolese who all over a sudden are experts on Economics. The Libyans need to recognise their black neighbours who they ill treat for being in Libya. The list is endless. Africans cant unite , we have too many obstacles such as language, cultural differences, backgrounds etc.
United States of Africa! What an awesome idea. Led, perhaps, by Muammar Gaddafi or Robert Mugabe or even better still, how about Sudan’s Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir???? NO THANKS.
#23 I agree with you in totality. I was surprised when i read in the papers that our own LPM said he would only commit his stance after consulting other leaders at the summit. He is reported to have said this just before departure for Ghana. Colleagues, these are important national commitments that LPM should not just think and decide on behalf of the 11 million Zambians. We have to be consulted in some form of a referendum as to whether we are comfortable with this kind of arrangement.
Let us start by strengthening our existing regional blocks in terms of economic integration which should be a gradual process.
We should also be mindful of the fact that problems in Congo DR are attributed to the Country’s diverse nature for one government.
If LPM decides to commit himself to joining the US of Africa, Zambia will have abandoned its own sovereignity join USA. Are we ready for this?
The United States of Africa will eliminate mediocre leadership as every country would go to chose their best leader who can integrate in the wider Africa. I don’t see any reason why Zambia should be importing oil from Kuwait when our Neighbor in Angola have abundant Crude oil. All we need is Africa to set Refineries which can feed those other Federal states without the commodity. The list is endless. Freedom will come and it will come. This time Economic freedom to control our resources. With China onbaord, Africa will no longer be a playground of the West.
fellow contributors, let us not even waste our time thinking about this.United States of Africa is at least 250 years away(assuming the planet hasn’t melted from global warming!!)Let us instead focus on regional economic alliances which could give birth to a continental alliance.One contributor mentioned visa requirements between African states……let us start there!!!The free movement of people is pivotal in regional integration.The EU recognised this and made it a priority among it’s members.Lets us standardise/modernise our immigration policies and use IT to co-ordinate immigration monitoring and law enforcement.Tariffs and duties within regional groupings should be systematically abolished and other means of protecting local industries developed.
The wheel of Economic unification are rolling. We won the Freedom Fight. This is time now for Economic Freedom. With africa having on single foreign policy, No western country will influence any government in Africa and cause war. With one united Africa, dictators like in Sudan would have been eliminated and toppled. With United Africa, Mugabe economy would not have collapsed.
Kuku 19# I have to be frank with you I almost forgot about this organisation. I have to get my grade six book to see what our teach told us why SADCC was formed under the Lusaka Declaration on the 1st of Apirl 190. This was the idea of Kaunda and Nyerere as a forrunner of the fronline states which was created southern Africa countries to help in the liberation from cononial rule. SADCC as it was called until 1992 was formed to cooperated social, economic and security of the region. That means member countries should not attack member states militarily, Some kind of free trade should exit. Please read the Lusaka declaration I can remember exactly what Kaunda said on this day. You I have never taken much interest on SADC though drive thru when going to Kaunda Square to visit relatives it reads Southern African Development Community.The only reason I know it was formed was stop Southern Africa countries depending on Aparthied south Africa on economics and trade. As you Kaunda used to…
i wish to refer to comments made by HK, we dont need USA for us to import oil from Angola, we can still import it now.We certainly dont need China on board either.we have too many things to take care of in Africa such that we dont even need a USA.Africa does not have the resources to govern the 53 states as one.if you have been to the extreme north you will feel the effects of being a black African and if you come to the extreme South you will also feel the reason why one Africa united is not possible
ctd. critised Botha during the day and at night he is doing business. He bought those locomotive for Laungwa and Kafue trains from South Africa. Anyway the world is changing but for Southern Africa at a very slow pace. How can we real get united when you still require Visas to visit other neigbouring countries or the building of wire fence on south africa/ Zimbabwe. When you still deport your fellow Africa. How can it work when countries like Morroco are help to deport and mishandle African trying to enter the EU. How can treat you brothers like that, you dump them in the desert without water and transport. Guys southern region has lesser problems we just have to solve the Zimbabwean crisis and soldier on economically.
Africa Unit.
Africa be one family.Africa,reduce and eliminate your boundaries.Africa teach your children to be consolidated for the bright future of the richest continent but mishandled land ever created by the Almighty one.
Africa,some countries even benefit alot from her while they call her ‘FEIZHOU’ meaning it is a barren,evil and useless Land,we are just quiet and continue begging for the finished products from our own raw materials.
Africa unit,
Mother Africa,be proud of what you are.Build Africa into a land of love and unity.
The United States of Africa is possible but the mode of achieving it should be un precedented,it has to be absolutely unique. If you follow the American way we might be going about it the wrong way.We still have states like Puerto Rico which are still in the dark about their state 300 years after America got its freedom,if we take that route then we are heading for disaster
27# HK our Dr. the reason is simply you signed treats and trade agreements with the rate of the world. Did you know that Ghana and Nigeria are neighbors but Ghana not buy fuel from Nigeria it has to throught Britain and Holland. Look now Mazabuka has shortage of diesel because it has come from Iran and Kuwait. Why to Africans I can just believe that we are still living in the middle stone age of industrialization. China is exploiating Zambia labor force by paying them $100 per mouth. Kuku you are in Ndola go and verify pilz we need better conditions. China has no choice but it will dance to our tune. Guys I was shocked to learn that some chinese farmer owns a farm on behave of the chinese govt. Who gave him this land. Ba Joze go and ask Mrs Nyirongo we want to know.
Ba Joze the farm is near Lusaka.
BaHK(29),it is obvious you have been greatly affected by that dangerous bug called pan-africanism!!! look around you and the reality indicates how utopian the ideals you have listed are.The EU as powerful as it is collectively, STILL does not have a common foreign policy, they are struggling with a common currency etc etc.Freedom…..what freedom have you won!!Freedom to kill each (Somalia), to starve each other (Zimbabwe),cleanse each other(Rwanda)???The West demands you “free Africans” be democratic…..no third terms etc etc and yet the PM in the UK can be in office for as long as he can win an election and when he is tired he can hand over power to a colleague!!!!
Ba HK, forgive the venom in my submission but in order to progress we must be real!!!!
Lets start by uniting our policies and attitudes towrds fellow Africans before we can have our pipo united. Gaddafi is a hypocrite, Libyans are so intolerant to black Africans how can he even preach unity. Mugabe is a tyrant he Sjamboks his own pipo and u expect him to have a heart for non Zimbabweans. All those agitating for USA are living bad examples, how can we trust them. Mbeki is right we should take it easy, and besides he is the only one who responds whenever there is a crisis in Africa…Mozambique, Ivory Coast,Sudan Congo
38# ´ba Mbulawa you a liar how can you say Zimbabwe sent soldiers to DR.Congo and today they are being punished for this because the west had to pay a big price to the minerals hence the hart on Mugabe. Do you that about 200 soldiers are on peace making in Darfur. Do you that we lost army personal in Sierra leone and Liberian conflicts. Those are people who went on peace mission. The key is sign no war my dear brother. Do you which countries are benefiting from wars around the world no wonder they dont want to stop them. 1.USA, 2. Russia, 3. Germany this not funny but the truth. Africa need one voice united or not united. Tell me which African has farm land in the west once you get one they come and burn you alive.
Pundit#38, can you shed more light why eu zone was formed.
On a state visit to England , President Mwanawasa meets with the Queen. He asks her, “Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?”
“Well,” says the Queen, “the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people.”
Mwanawasa frowns. “But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?”
The Queen takes a sip of tea. “Oh, that’s easy. You just ask them to answer an intelligence riddle.”
The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. “Please send Tony Blair in here, would you?”
Tony Blair walks into the room. “Yes, my Queen?”
The Queen smiles, “Answer me this, please, Tony. Your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?”
Without pausing for a moment, Tony Blair answers, “That would be me.”
“Yes! Very good thank you and please excuse us for now” says the Queen.
Back in Lusaka , President Mwanawasa asks to speak with Vice President Rupiah Banda. “Answer this for me. Your mother and your father have a child. It’s not your brother and it’s not your sister. Who is it?”
“I’m not sure,” says Banda. “Let me get back to you on that one.”
Banda goes to his advisors and asks everyone, Mulongoti, Chituwo, Mangande, Masebo, Shikapwasha even Venon Mwanga but none can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up at the Taj Hotel and bumps into Chief Mpezeni who has been on study leave. Banda looks around to see if anyone can overhear them whisper, “Chief! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it’s not your brother or your sister. Who is it?â€
“Mpezeni whispers back, “That’s easy. It’s me!”
Banda smiles and says “Thanks!”
Banda goes back to State House to speak with Pres. Mwanawasa. “Sir, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It’s Chief Mpezeni.”
Mwanawasa gets up, stomps over to Banda, and angrily yells into his face, “No Rupiah, stop refusing to think! It’s Tony Blair!”
Pundit #38 my hearts bleeds when you give examples of genocides in Africa. We Africans we are not worries. I will tell you just unlike God provided us with raw materials and this has made us to be a battle field. If Africa stops feeding the world especially eu you will people dying of hunger. Any stupid insulting Africa will one day burn in flames. Dont bite the finger that feeds you. I dont mean you Pundit some above gave this exmaple that Africa is Barrren and its a battle field.
It is an interesting proposition only on paper.I am one that does not give an idea no second thought.It may be a great idea to unite Africa into the USA,however,we need to start with organising ourselves as individual nations,then move to enhancing regional integration,and then think of the bigger picture.What makes African politicians what they are is the lack of respect for their constitutions.Can someone tell me how long Gadaffi has been leader of Libya.I can remember learning about this guy as early as 1982.Do you really think such leaders can entrusted with the responsibility of drafting a USA.Africans by nature have diverse traditions and cultures which cannot be undone easily.As a continent we have alot of considerations to make before such an idea can be seriously considered.This is not to say that the idea of a USA is a pipedream.We need change but we need to do it right.Let’s not rush into concretising this idea.Give it more thought.It may be implemented by future generations
#28 Pandit.. We all know that probably United states of africa wont happen in our life time. But we are faced with the same difficulties and challenges Europe was facing with regard to being competitive in the global economy. Thats how the EU was finally formed. Politically they maintain their soverenity while creating a united economic front. I think the creation of one currency in africa is very much attainable.
SAGE#44 yes my brother we need a single market/ a domestic market for Africa which produces and process its own products on the African soil and consume them. This way an economy will grow.
Ba Easy(42),there is an element of truth in the assertion that Africa is the Wests’ battlefield.It all started with the scramble for Africa!!The scramble is still on!The West never fight wars(military and economic) on their own soil.We are supposedly equal but they are more equal than us.They automatically give work permits to your nurses and doctors and you wonder why our health service is in a mess.The best African brains are out there with them, not here with us!!I use this analogy to advise Africans: “in the martial arts, you use your opponents strength to win a fight!!”This is what we must do…use their technology and finance,not to be like them but to make us stronger than them.Why have we let SADCC and the PTA be white elephants,why isn’t COMESA a priority vehicle for regional development??We have the raw material (human and physical)which they cannot survive without.It is time we took the bull by its’ horns(the Tongas’ can help here!!) and lay down rules THEY must follow .
LPM just took his mashamo to the AU, here at home he could not bring all the groups together with Katele.How can he help in the UA.Lets also look at changing the name from Zambia to Sambia,becuse it is X,Y and then Z kulast ba mwisho,this is maningi mashomo.
We need all the skeptic views here. This will help us to perfect the integration. We have to start somewhere at least like every new innovation. Start with policy and start developing our younger generation for the united future Africa. characters like Pundit are too rigid for immediate change therefore as they die off we shall have more Africans born and grown believing in their destiny.
Economically I believe Africa with over 800 million people and its natural resources is a viable market within itself. I don’t expect countries like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia to be part of this integration as they have always gravitated to the Middle East and only come to Black Africa when it suits them.
United Africa in summary is not feasible and attempts to do so are mere rhetoric and academic exercise.Our differential economic standings are one such impediments coupled with too many civil wars which are here to stay.The EU today still has impediments like Germany cannot accept other citizens of the EU to work in their Land, they have completely ignored the need to do so under EU treaty.Another inequality look at Namibia, the N$ cant be used in RSA but RSA rand can buy in Namibia, why?At the change of OAU to AU alot of work was done to streamline the operations of African states but have we seen any of those yeilding tangible results? the answer is a big NO, today we cant even intervene in civil wars despite having our own AU, we still rely on the western to defuse these attrocities,that in itself is a major weakness towards achieveing anything.The stepping stone must gradual and must start from regional settings then into a bigger picture.SADC today cant help Zimbabwe
#45The issues involved are clearly very complex. Joining the one currency entails massive risks. Equally, staying outside the same permanently also involves serious dangers. The immediate risks, resulting from losing the ability to set our interest rates in line with our own needs and locking Kwacha permanently, must be weighed against the more long-term benefits produced by greater exchange rate stability and increased competition and dynamism unleashed by the common currency.
However, the decision to do so will be determined only by economic considerations not otherwise. For some people, the most powerful argument against joining is the fear that it may lead to political union. For those supporting entry, many of the economic risks of staying out (e.g. discriminatory rules and adverse effects on foreign investment) are equally driven by politics. Ultimately, only wider political considerations, including a ‘vision’ of our long-term role in SADC should be a guide
Kuku, stop fretting. We have just started talking. We will get all those issues of currency, much much later.
Ba Sage(44),remember the UAPTA.This was a brilliant effort at creating a regional currency whose strength depended on the productivity and trade volumes of the PTA countries.We don’t need to re-invent the wheel but just put it back on the carriage.It was FTJ and the then govt. that ignored this innovation because it “smelt of Kaunda”.In the UK business is done both in Euros’ and sterling.The UK has refused to give up it’s pound so we can still keep our beloved kwacha(pronounced dollar!!)We need to trade among ourselves and pool our strengths and i feel Southern Africa has a better chance at this than West or North Africa.The other giant could be East Africa but what happened to their regional economic grouping?I hate to say this, but many of the answers we are looking for are in the UNIP development plans of yesteryear!Why do you think LPM started development plans even if they are remembered as Kaunda’s blunders!!History has our answers!!
Kuku49# Zimbabwean problems are very complex,you in my mother language we say “let your friend sleep in the same bed with your wife dont blame him if he sleep with her”. Ba Mudaala we have traitors who want to continue selling that country to foreigners. Ba Kuku its CIA if you are in you cannot come out until death. At Zambia has managed to clean its corners of the house. I hope Zambian will support Sata that Katele Kalumba should be removed as chairman of ZCID. We dont need him he is on criminal record. We have to do it the Zambia way. Did you know Zambia is the only country that has get the immunity of the president on the continent. When others say its political motivated but it has opened the eyes of many. Did you Zambia is the first country to Mobile phones in Africa followed by Nigeria. So we can lead. Lets finish our constitution process making and we can then soldier on with SADC.Kuku its long time I was in south Africa is it possible for me to withdraw money from an automatic
#51 Dr HK iwe mwaice Iam not fretting, Iam giving facts because some of your are day dreamers.
#52 Recently I was in East Africa and was amazed on how these guys have managed to control the volatility of the exchange rates against covertable currencies in the in the Coastal Union.Atleast these guys are trying to maintain their trade equities and that what SADC must looking forward to , not just putting local council measures which Masebo is trying to implement.Its should not take SADC to do, its efforts must be on a bigger picture-Economy.Political independence without economic independence is a dead one-KK once said in his memoirs
ctd. machine in south Africa or I have to move with sacks if I want to a Turbine for a hydro electric power?. In these line we start developing. The eu member dont pay any customs duty anymore. All you need is national registration card passport and your bank card. Hotels and flights you book on online. Flight is cheaper like using a busy. All this is efficiency and effectiveness ways of dealing. You time is money so is knowledge is transformation wisdow into money and money is power. We need these economical activities if we are to competitive. The west is allowed now they are even invite Robert for the EU summit in December. So if stand for what we like our forefathers we shall definately achieve.
#53 Mwaice,if we have a serious SADC, Zim problems must not be complex,they are solvable,Its this perpetual stay in power which is destroying the good governance of our nations.Even if you were a genius how do rule a country single handedly for 27 years?There is time for everything,
As for ATM in RSA mwaice fyani, you can draw from any account in the world with those popular cards i.e Maestro, Visa electron, Visa,but not American express,Diners etc ukalya icani
Kuku#54, I can only support you one professor from Tanzania put it like over this economical independence # He said quote, how can you give us a cows head but not the whole body yet you expect us to eat the whole meat,borns and drink the blood”. Its not possible instead Africa is doomed instead having a booming marketing. Gentlmen lets be vigilant. Today China has a mismatch Population with very high demand of goods from cobalt and copper- I mean such goods like Fridges, Pressing iron, actually most of the household commodities. Sure does a Zambian family also requires these good or you want to continue with Malasha and Mbaula. Life can be made easy and they is what China is doing.
Ba HK(48),you talk of 800 million and yet within the same breath you exclude that part of Africa that has economies that have the greatest demand for goods and services as well as the purchasing power to sustain the demand. I’m not rigid…,maybe i play the devils advocate to elicit ideas, but above all i’m a realist!! Our salvation is in regionalism.We are well on our way to nationalism and this is the next step.If my comments seemed offensive,accept my sincere apologies.
56# Kuku, Bakalamba, can I get also ATM in in KASAMA, or Mfumbwe?.
No ba Pundit#58, you have my support Dr.HK is a medicine man he can propound very well on this topic. Telling about purchasing power is like talkig to a walk and he claims to live in cilivised world where abortion is a right of women yet it murder of innocent life which can not make its own decisin between life and death. No need to apologise if anyone feels offends she or he must just leave the blog freely.
No ba Pundit#58,you we are support Dr.HK is a medicine man he can propound very well on this autospy. Telling about purchasing power is like talkig to a walk and he claims to live in cilivised world where abortion is a right of women yet it murder of innocent life which can not make its own decisin between life and death. No need to apologise if anyone feels offended she or he must just leave the blog freely.
#59 All provincial centres do have ATMs mwaice iwe when did you leave Zambia? Did you know that the first ATM was designed and installed in 1967 in UK and could only dish out £10 at that time? Today there over 1.5m ATMs world over, the guy who did this is still alive and mouted the idea when his wife so feeling lazy to queue up in the bank?Dont just eat in the USA start thinking of something that will contribute to high tech of Zambia not CCTVs like Kayata told you.
Kuku#62,I was there in 2004 and I was my way to Kalabo via Livingstone. But in Choma I met a good friend of man and I wanted to give him some money from my account. Unfortunately I could find any ATM so I forced to queue. You know I design such solution for companies mostly in Asymetric Transfer modus. Any with Internet Money transfer has improved. I did my Thesis in this area so Kayata´s CCTV is just his illusions.
Where is Ba JOze, Kuku# is business colapsing?
Easy speak clearly. I cane hardly understand your easy approach. All I say is the truth man. We can only get it right if we have no apologies for our views. Why do you want to confine me to the autopsy table. I agree with pundit on some issues, I was just trying to tell him the hurdles we have including resistances to change which we anticipate.
For your records, Tunisians think they are Europeans and even applied to be included in the European Union on the same basis like Israel.
Pundit, there is no need for apologies, whoever enters this blog line should not take things personal..i guess you know I have been attacked many times here, even being called a Murderer when I tried to tell Easy that, an abortion could be a ‘wrong’ right and an option to women and families based on their condition.
Dr.HK65# cool down I see you have now started reasoning with us this what we collectiveness. Decent discussion and contribution on the blog. We need this spirit. If you start talking in these lines then Zambia has future leaders who have used their stay abroad proper. Good man you I give a pat on the back. We are here to educate one another and share the experience you have done gone. Look even me I didnt know this fact this what we want ba Doc. Education, Education Education Education Education Educating each other. I thank you I hope you startr saving lifes of the little one who cannot make there own decision for they also have the right to be born and live on this earth. How got you hv to say gone we have a USA in Africa or it just a mere dream and wishes of a better place like paradise.
#41 Kuku,is THE BEST CONTRIBUTION of the week.
#63 Easy, CCTVs is not an illusion in modern society
CCTV for use outside government special facilities was developed as a means of increasing security in banks. Today it has developed to the point where it is simple and inexpensive enough to be used in home security systems, and for surveillance of public areas.Today, systems cover most town and city centres, and many stations, car-parks and estates. This helped much in detecting the bombs planted in London car park this week. Now think of Shangombo having CCTVs, ATMs recreation centers, parks and libraries, the place will be Heaven on Earth te?
#65 try to cement your scattered points to make sense to readers.
Ba Joze, This Kayata Boy was calling me Armco. You havent contributed to the topic above. Say sth?
#68 Easy, abstract thinking is good in life for it lay a good foundation for positive thinking te? Therefore, Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi vission of USA will be realised when is gone. Atleast he has started something for the next generation to build on. BUT we need first to improve the blocking system economically so far SADC is the only AFRICA BLOCK TRYING TO fine coz of SA.On the other hand there is imbalances in trading in the region.
Its to adapt to changes arounds. So I can´see light at he end of tunnel one day Africa will be one as God created it. My friend from Cameroon made a joke a few days ago he said Brazil was once part of Africa. Good lucky.
In the Uk on average there is one cctv camera for every 14 people!!!They put traffic lights not only for traffic control but to mount cctv’s on them.When you steal a car in a certain area the police merely activate cctv’s in the area and cordon you off!The “Big Brother” concept is very real in the UK.Now they are considering retinal scans for passport holders and they intend to start a DNA bank for all residents in the British Isles(pa Heathrow kupela DNA sample before entry!!!
Anyway back to the thread….our problems are that of governance.we have all the resources among ourselves,only governance issues are retarding development. we suffer the “wamuyaya” syndrome.Our govt.s reflect the personality of it’s leader and not the aspirations of the people.Comrades, the secret to development is good governance and accountability not necessarily democracy as evidenced by Col. Gaddafi,Saudi Arabia etc.democracy for some, but not for all!!interesting world we live in!!
71# Muammar Gaddafi is not the president. He holds no political position in the libyan government. Thats why he refered to us the libyan leader. The government system in libya is decentralised. Each province or district is run by a committe of elected people. This committee votes on issues. Gadaffi operates outside the political system. Theoretically he does not make any decisions for the districts. This type of government does not exist anywhere in the world. Its a combination of a mornach, shaikdom and socialism. The other type of local governemt i would compare to that of libya is that of Los Angeles county which is run by the board of supervisors. No one person makes the decision. Every decision goes through the vote.
Muammar Gaddafi usually refered to as the Brother leader by the libyan people believes in the government of masses. Meaning the people of libya determins their own destiney. The brother leader’s grand vision of USA is inshrined in the very concious that africans are one and the same people from cape to cairo. He has also borne testimony to the fact that africans are the most loyal people to their origin on earth. An african can be i the diasporas for 20 years but at the root of his concious is where he comes from and the people he left behind. An african always maintains stronger ties to his contry of origin as conpared to europeans who have very little sense of origin. The brother leader also strongly submits to the fact that the only way forward to stop the bleading caused by constant raping of our virgin land by the west is unity. As atested by his response when he was interviewed, The borther lead believes the africans (masses) should decide on USA and not the presidents.
BaSage(72),Gadaffi almost took the country to war with the USA,which committee voted on such lunacy??Anyway my point is that democracy(as we know it)is for some and not all, so we have to find the “brand” that suits our situation and adapt our constitutions to accomodate it.I’m sure it tickles you to remember that the one party state we once had was officially called “a ONE party participatory democracy”!!!This “brand” built us schools,roads,TAZARA etc etc.Can someone remind me what GRZ under multi partism has built.(please exclude private sector intiatives)Ba Sage,whatever happened to the UAPTA??
BaSage umuntu wenu explained in greater detail:
Libya has no democracy, and no political parties. There is some freedom of speech, but this often finds room where the police doesn’t reach with their control.
Libya is defined as a jamahiriya, which is a word resembling the word for ‘republic’, ‘jumhuriyya’. Jamahiriya involves a system of councils where all citizens are promised the right to express their opinions.
The jamahiriya is organized into 186 basic people’s administrative congresses. These address 46 municipal administrative units.
The basic idea of the jamahiriya system is popular influence and responsibility, through a system of direct influence in a pyramidical system. Representatives to higher institutions are elected by the members of the basic congresses. The real leader of the jamahiriya is colonel Mu’ammaru Gadhafi, who exercises close to unlimited power, but do this without having any official titles.
#74,Multi partism has belt Urban Medical centres which have mortuaries and there is no need to go to UTH if you live in matero,its also increased the fridge capacity at UTH to carter for DrHK’s clients, they built new roads which KK left closer to becoming craters or bunkers,today you can drive from Kasumbalesa to windhoek without having second thots,they built a new prison near Chimbokaila for people like that chi anonymous who keeps ushering those dirt insults,they built the new Paediatric wing and Cancer research centre at UTH,they have refurbished and upgraded certain airports to international for you Pundit to land on from diaspora,they have brought polygamy for people like Paparazzi and Veteran,you can marry and divorce at will and they have created an enabling environment for business minded people like me and BaJoze.
Imagine, they succede to create this united states of africa, who do you think would be our’George Bush’? No one , because even Sata would file in nomination papers for presidency. Kuti bakomana amasembe, would you imagine the same Gadaffi being Governor of Libya, reporting to e.g President Sata or Mugabe. This cant be in our life time, it would be blood bath in africa, every one would want to be a president. Gadaffi has never been subjected to an election, he doesnt know what he’s friends go through during election time. If it happens, at least chaps like EASY and PAPPARAZI will have an opportunity to sample arab girls easily, as they say ‘every dark cloud has silver linning.
#73 Iwe SAGE for Africa to progress we need democratic leaders who value the people they save not themselves but so far most of these chaps including Gaddaffi are just to greedy and hypocrites.I for one I dont fancy the Gadaffi chap,he is disllusioned and thinks he can tow everyone on the continent.your emphasis in your passage was nothing short of ‘fedaralism’ or is it ‘feudalism’? You seem to have been attracted by that kind of governance,in Zambia its far fetched and start thinking of something plausible and attainable interms of governance.Our main culprit to development today in Zambia is Corruption, once we design systems that can make sure that resources are not abused from top to tail, money spent is correctly applied, prioritising our developmental projects,Zambia will be smiling, even with little resources along as accountability is there value will always be added, Gadafi should just continue surpressing his people, after all he is used-from 1969 to date fi bantu fyashani?
#77 Mwaice mala- msana wanzili naubwela pa blog?Pa UK palishani mwaice, ulentuminako ama pounds,aya kushita ama jersey mwaice winter pa main Masala nayibutusha ba customer so ama poverty/hunger equations ku nganda nayengila icinecine, na whisky teyakumoneka iyo twalayamba fye ukunwa whisky black.Mwaice iyikona ukuya ku scotland wamona bamisa abo balebomona ama airports, uleikala pa nganda.Naya mukunwa Tea pali BaJoze kabili nacisa ku Lusaka mukumona ama plot yaba Mean Wood, mwaice kulya ku Airport kukaba niku paradise, usengepo cash ukese shitako yamo.
BaKuku,most of the so-called construction by multipartism was an improvement on what was already there(basic infrastructure).The “One Party State” BUILT from scratch,but because of the inability of UNIP to embrace globalisation and the economic implications of the ending of the cold war, failed to sustain development,hence we voted them out.Can you imagine we were actually given a chance to vote them out….Kaunda even called early elections!I agree with the “enabling environment”(which FTJ and his goons “enabled very well through ZAMTROP”)I sum it up as follows:UNIP for political independence(and for our neighbours)MMD under FTJ for economic liberalisation,MMD under LPM.. economic resuscitation and development of potential!!What next our great KUKU??
#75 #78 What i was trying to say in my prevous articles is purley bring the libyan political system out so that great minds like Kuku ,pandit etc can discuss. I was provoking you guys to see in the real sense who is behind the USA. I dont support Muammar Gaddafi although i admire his stature. I’m for federalism to the core. It may not seam feasible now but but i believe with all my heart ist the way forward. Our biggest problem in Zambia is fear of costs. Each time you want to do something that will change the country forever , you first look at costs and that stops you. Look at the constitution? everybody is pre occupied with the cost factor. The funy thing is before you know you have already spent billions on squables. We have to learn to be brave and start putting ourselves as a nation first. If Kaunda looked at the cost he could not have built TAZAMA and TAZARA
#80 What I always pray for is maturity in the politicians and they should start complimenting one another interms of service to people of Zambia.We should not view a counter opinion as treason.We need to emulate the way the west conduct themselves, today Gordon brow has taken drastic measures to reduce powers of the Prime Minister,I was watching this on sky.com/news and this a leader who values the interest of his electorates than himself.I hope Levy cna tune to this website and start comparing himself to Gordon interms of enacting a constitition they will last centuries.Yes Multi partism worked on incrementalism of policies and this is what we must encourage not all what UNIP did was bad some things were good but they lacked the will power to do so.Like Privatisation was first echoed by KK in May 1990 at the 5th extraordinary session of the national council of UNIP 4 years after those food riots of 1986 but he lacked the strength to implement it and MMD was slowly watching .
A United States of Africa is unattainable.What has upset Ghadaffi so much is the way African leaders line up for these handouts from the West,Asia,or Europe in exchange for our natural resources.He believes that once we exploit our own resources,then we`ll have firm control of our own destiny.The problem in Africa is gross missmanagement and general neglect of seriously investing in development.Forming USA isn`t the solution but having development minded leaders who are willing to move their individual countries forward.
#81 Its true, we need a govt which is white than whiter.Firstly we need to equalise development all the 9 provinces,KK tried to spead these idealogies but some were totally misplaced, look at Luangwa industries, the marjority of bicycle users are on the Copperbelt and Lusaka, he forgot the cost factor involved in marketing the product,Mwinilunga Cannery the idea was good, its should have been strengthened on the basis of export(bigger market)but lacked personnel to propel such business ventures,Cashew nuts in Western Province, these nuts SAGE in Europe you pay thru your nose,Easy and his cousins are sitting on diamond,Kateshi Coffee in Kasama,Goundnuts in the east,Chani Fisherie in Luapula, these should have been export zone industries per province and your feralism policy could have adequately worked.Yes it will work but let us start with these highlights I have given you and move to the next stanza
SAGE, Change in Zambia and Africa should start from the mindset. As long as we have people like Chiluba and his Lupaula cronies who think of stealing based on tribal empowerement, forget the African integration.
#85 we need to reduce the presidential powers to correctly see success.We need to strengthen parliamnet give it more powers, educate the poeple about true governance let them be part of the gorvernance equation, if Africa Union pollutes their rivers let them deal with that investor adequately through a well functioning legal system .Stealing in govt has been rife, everyday you read about stealing, recently people at Radio station in Kasama have chewed K30m this included their Executive Director.This is a curse,we cannot go on like this, there must be a stop.People must bring out the root cause of some of these problems and work on them.
In my opinion, USA of Africa is would definately have an impact on Africa’s development. Africans are well known to fear changes; we think everything should lst forever solong we are used to, which is very wrong. I totally agree with past speakers who identified greed to remain in power, as one factor that disturbs our leaders on this matter. Many African countries have remained poor not due to lack of resources, but rather due to poor policies or incompetent heads of states who consequently end up selling their counties’ wealth to westerners or esterners. Likewise, instability in some countres cannot be a reason for not to unite, but rather a strong reason why we should unite, since new policies would allow for immediate intervention throughout the region. Defferences in skin color, culture or religious beliefs, would also be dealt with slowly through formulation of new policies as well as mass education. The present Africa is a complte failure, it’s time for CHANGE.
I cant veto for the US of Africa because Africa is not one and due to different levels of development and political ideologies,and for the sake of preserving the young democracies across the continent. Some countries that are more wealthy will seek to reamin autonomous or break away from the union. Just keep AU and regional grouping. People like Gaddaffi, Abongo,Paul Beer,Mugabe,Albashire,Museveni,and many other are just greedy cronies who want to extend thier dominace of power to powerless nations.
Its wondeful to see cooperation among african states, I was in eastern africa and had a good time, no visa was rquired and all. The pipo there live in harmony and most of them speak one language , swahili. Regional economic ties must spearheard the integration of african economies. Lets us in zambia learn a bit of swahili too so that its easier for us to deal with eastern african pipo. Kenya is doing fine in tourism and infrastructure. Solet us pick a leaf from that, why do we like to live in dreams by admiring things that are so far from us? Lets set targets that we can achieve in real time. So let africa do well in regional cooperations then it can make a step further!! We can achieve alot as we learn to consume our resourses. So I hope soon zambia will make something from copper that it will sell and make good ‘forex’.And I look foward to the completion of the rail to angola, and that one to link chipata.
Titus, why swahili? Our major trade partners right now are South Africa. So really if we wanted to confuse ourselves with another language, then my best bet would be Isizulu. Khunjani?
The advocates of the United States of Africa have done well to remind us that there is need to address this problem in future. As at now, let us concentrate on issues that are in house and regional. As a matter of principle, I would caution you that even the advocates themselves are not serious and prepared for this noble cause. Let me cite Gadaffi himself as an example. He arrived in Ghana a day or so prior to the summit. He never attended the opening ceremony, why? That already shows a sense of irresponsibility which is tantamount to undermining other leaders. If those are the kind of advocates we have, then to hell with the whole process. We will implement it later after ASIA has done so which is developing rapidly with its good economic policies. How could Gadaffi arrive at the summit after the objectives had been outlined? Only wanting to confuse those that had been at the summit from the beginning by tabling an issue that should have been covered during AOB. Shame! I would like to remind the media as well and some of you bloggers who are so quick in using acronyms without regard. You risk being sued for your carelessness. USA is an acronym which United States of America is using now and has been used in many trade marks since 1769. Your dream land of United States of Africa should therefore carry another acronym. How can you have two USA’s? How are you going to know that you are this time talking about Africa or America? Confusion starts from the acronym itself meaning that the whole discussion about the merger in Ghana is nothing but a circus.
The issue of United States of Africa leaves a lot to be desired. I can foresee a similar situation happen as what happened in the United States of America immediately after getting independence where the northern states developed more rapidly than the southern states. These guys from the northern region of Africa do not believe that they are Africans. When an international survey is being done, they are much better of to be categorized as whites as opposed to Africans.
The same thing you are seeing of being deprived of our natural resources by the developed world that is what will happen upon formation of United States of Africa. Most of our natural resources will go into developing the northern region of Africa. As　a result, we in the south, we shall continue living in perpetual poverty. Mind you, the majority of the north is Islam. And you are aware of what their religion teaches. Therefore, to avoid division and civil wars between the north and south, I would suggest and recommend for continuity of regional groupings. Maybe, the amalgamation can be implemented after these guys who are in Ghana have passed on. Let us try that other generation and not the one to come soon to implement this exercise. At least I assume most of the economies in the southern region of Africa will have developed at that time.
Who has no eyes to see that the presidency of the United States of Africa if we were to implement it now will be dominated by the north? The idea is good but let us shelve it for now.
#84 Kuku, There are many parameters that were looked at before any of those factories you alluded to were constructed in those areas where they stand or where they sttod at that time. There is also a phenomenon in economics which talks about one product one village. It looks at exploiting the specialisation of labour and local resources within that region. Why was ford manufacturing company set up where it is. Is that the only place where there is market for ford. No Kuku I have decided to disagree with you on you #84 blog.
#89 BAKUKU bakamba mulishani?, elyo nainuka kuncito nimbonza. Yes i have heard so much about Meanwood, i just wish you could give me some more data. In any case tukesa fikako mu October.
#84 Mwaice Nkhataboy ulishani?Where are you based in these global villages?you know am taking statistics on where bloggers live.Marjority are in US,UK and RSA.
Thankyou for wishing us well pa Heroes and Unity day.Mwaice I wanted to exhibit at the Trade Fair but the bank refused me soft loan to do up a stand despite offering collateral.This is the discrimnination we have interms of lending by foreign banks.
Coming to the industries mentioned above,in particular Luangwa industries,What I would have loved to see set up in Eastern province was an industry that processes g/nuts into oil ,peanut butter etc, beause the market was abundant for such products but as for bicycles this should have been in an area which could have low overheads such as marketing, delivering,etc and most customers were either CB or Lsk, someone should have advised KK on its establishment.Ford yes the demand for these products is not as elastic as you would find for necessities like bicycles which carter for low
ctd from#95 class people, Cars are considered a luxury and not a necessitie and carters for a certain class of people.So cost factor doesnot affect the affordability of the commodity.Just like we had Livingstone Motor Assembly, this industry was sustainbale but was run down because of mismanagement and gross political interference which was rife in most of these parastatals.The appointing authority did not care the level of education and expertise one had as long as he was able to shout ‘Pamulu Lesa, panshi KK’, but this didnot mean we could not have shifted things around.Plants move, the Rover car assembly has been shifted to china and a finished product being sold back in UK,Amanita took Lenco machinery to Zim and bring back finished products to Zambia.Cost factor analysis implications
Individiual Countries have failed to unite,how possible will the entire continent manage, when already we are reading the news that Namibia,Lesotho,Swaziland want to break off from the use of Rand as an equal to or major currency in their respective countries.
Politically,african leaders have ever been divided since someone introduced “whisky and brandy” to them. they are able to do anything for nothing hence they even managed to sell off their “brother’s” for the love of money.
Cecil Rhodes had a vision of a cape to cairo, but because of our ideaologies and belief’s,such projects have not been possible. This is not the best way to be on the same level with other continents like Europe ie EU etc.
Regional grouping’s have failed to make any positive impacts like the ECOWAS,SADC,COMESA,SACU etc worse still what has the AU achieved?
African leaders are just dreamers.
African Union government should wait, says SADC
SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) member states are of the view that the proposed establishment of an African Union government should wait until the African continent attains higher levels of both economic and political integration.
The SADC region also said it supported the extra-ordinary executive council’s decision that an all-inclusive audit of the African Union Commission should be conducted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the AU before deciding whether it should be replaced or not.
SADC outgoing chairman, Pakalitha Mosisili, said this yesterday when he addressed the ongoing AU heads of state and government summit in Accra, Ghana.
Professor Mosisili who is Lesotho Prime Minister, said it was the considered view of the SADC region as expressed at its summit in October last year, that the process towards a unified Africa should start and be done through the eight existing regional economic blocks.
He said the regional economic blocks, which include SADC, COMESA and ECOWAS were the building blocks of the AU through which infrastructure, free movement of people, trade, information technology and other economic benefits could be realised.
Prof Mosisili noted that on the other hand, full political integration as was being advocated by some countries, would be hard to achieve under the proposed continental government because it presupposed total surrender of sovereignty by AU member states.
“Partial surrender of sovereignty in identified areas may be the best option.
The African Union has some institutions to which member states have already partially ceded their sovereignty such as the African parliament,†he said.
The SADC chairman said other areas of integration would be in education where African countries would pursue standardised education systems, curricula and even syllabi, under the direction of the Commission.
Prof Mosisili argued that the US, European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations could not be the best examples for Africa’s proposed continental government structure as the cultural make-ups and values of these blocks were not as diverse as those in Africa.
He said suggestions that the AU, which has been in existence for barely six years has not delivered, is debatable.
“We have the African Union that is barely six years old.
Can it really be said that it has not delivered?
It has also often been argued that the debate for political integration has been going on for 44 years now.
It has further been argued that time is running out. But the question is, who has been engaged in the debate for these years.
‘‘Can it be honestly claimed that the peoples of Africa have been engaged in any meaningful way?†he asked.
Prof Mosisili said while it is recognised that Africa’s interests would be best served through both political and economic integration, a bottom-up and not top-bottom approach should be employed, adding that the entire process should be people driven and not leaders driven.
“Lest we be misunderstood, we must hurry to state that this view has nothing to do with abdication of leadership.
It has everything to do with the leadership taking along the peoples of Africa that as leaders we are privileged to lead,†said Prof Mosisili.
The 52 heads of state and government assembled in Ghana were later yesterday expected to announce a common ground after three days of protracted debate behind closed doors on the future of the AU.
The African leaders were last night expected to release a communiqué at the end of the summit.—ZANIS
[Times of Zambia]
Kuku,Nkhataboy,SAGE et al,
Are African leaders trying to be at par with the rest of the world,or what is the problem here?
Sometime ago,Gaddafi paid up fee’s for some countries that were in arrears with their membership fee’s for the AU.
These type of politics are like buyouts in a firm where 1 major shareholder bribes the minority holder’s with a view for him that they will support him with his decisions and actions as we saw with Glazer in Manchester United,etc, Alliance Boots etc.
This is a reason why Gaddafi was considered a threat to the west.
Ba Kayata(99),bwana Gaddafi is bored and is seeking a new challenge.despite his type of “democracy”(refer to submission 75) he has done very well for his people so what else is there for him to do ?? I would think he would be more helpful in encouraging regional economic groupings with the long term view of uniting the continent.On the dinner table, the one who is satisfied talks more!!For the rest of Africa, maybe we should study his economic successes more closely and see what we can incorporate in our own “revival” strategies!!
#95 Kuku, I am fine and how are you? I am up and down trying to make ends meet. Criss crossing from one continent to the other. while I agree with you, I would like you to realize that all you are talking about are the four P’s in marketing. In principle that is a marketing plan. A Marketing Plan is usually discussed under four areas, all of which affect how you might do things for the best effect-Product, Place, Price and Promotion. It also includes:
Specific marketing goals – with a time scale: how you will find out what is working and what isn’t (evaluation), an outline of what you will do if you’re marketing isn’t working (a contingency plan with some alternative ideas). For a private sector or individual, that is very critical because the ultimate goal is profit.
However, the government had an extra responsibility to offer. The duty was to ensure that some factories were created in rural areas in order to reduce on urban drift. Secondly, to ensure that development was not only going to take place in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces alone but throughout all the nine provinces. Hence the introduction of all those parastatals in different regions. Of course, if you look at it from the current scenario, under privatization, the system is different. No private individual would endeavor to take up such kind of factories or businesses due to the reasoning you gave in #95 in that they would run at a loss due to stiff competition on the market. But you should not forget that the government and its parastatals had a very big social responsibility to offer which is hardly available within the private sector now.
#99 Kayata, The idea behind all this is greediness. That Muammar Gadaffi of theirs thinks he can rule the whole Africa by applying those tricks. No. Where was he when he was still very strong and brave? Now that he is remaining with 4 days to go that is when he wants to invigorate the idea of United States of Africa. Why? Look at all those chaps that are for the motion, all of them are just millimeters from the grave yard. They just want to create problems for us and leave us to suffer for the rest of our life time and that of the generations to come. No. Let them go to hell where they will continue with their wish. It is too late now to think they can bring back their spilt wisdom.
United States of Africa.The origin of the word Africa has been difficult to elucidatre.It became the accepted term from Roman times onwards in the form Africa`re lacing from the Greek or Egyptian word LIBYA,the land of the lebu or lubins in genesis.From designating the North African coast,the word africa came to be applied to the whole continent from the end of the first centuary.This partly explains Gadaffi`s passion to have Africa as one country because he believes this is the land of the lebu.
Visions Visions!!!!!! Indeed, for they seem to bring the best out of us – BUT how Ijust wish most of us onthis forum would translate their big ideas into small practicable ones that will be picked up by the man in the street & hopefully at infectious rate that will lead into transformation in the way we think about our governance, the way in which we can influence it despite things looking impossible; Also the way in whichwe can do little things taht can lead to the improvement to the way of life of our communities – Yeah, do I hear someone shout he too is dreaming?? I may be guilty, BUT my trying to sensitze you on the fora is one of my acts to the many others that I maybe involved with. For the lucky ones abroad, lets support local initiatives, lets look to small investments back home & support civil groupings such as the Oasis forum etc etc. These small positive acts will in the long run see us where we want to be!! I hope I can make a difference – “Pay it Forward” – see the video.
Great work! That is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)