LET'S PROMOTE IDEALS OF AU

YESTERDAY was observed as Africa Day throughout the continent. It marked the annual commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which, in July 2002, was renamed the African Union (AU).
The formation of the continental body 45 years ago was driven by a common aspiration towards decolonisation, liberation, equality, justice and progress.
Historically, the continental body was established principally to fight colonialism and apartheid. Presently, that agenda has changed under the AU, which is less aware of colonialism and is rather expected to be proactive and mount pressure on the leaders of the continent to respect human rights and the principles of free and fair elections to promote good governance.
For the continental body to make advances and turn the continent from one that has an unenviable record of conflicts, famine and economic mismanagement, there is the need for all to be reminded of the prophetic words of Emperor Haile Selassie on May 23, 1963, that "the task on which we have embarked, the making of Africa, will not wait; we must act to shape and mould the future and leave our imprint on events as they slip past into history...".
Forty five years on, Africans still lack the capacity to speak with one voice and take decisions on African problems as a collective body.
Last year, the continental leaders who gathered in Accra failed to reach consensus on an African Union Government, mainly as a result of the divergent forces on the continent. Those forces that emerged during the formation of the continental body in 1963 again showed up during the Accra conference when two positions were sharply canvassed on the future of Africa.
The Daily Graphic concedes that these differences that emerged as a result of the colonisation of the continent are so strong that it will take some time for them to be resolved completely.
However, it is equally important that our leaders become mindful of the economic and political forces of the world and put strategies in place to shape a better future for the continent.
The founding fathers of the continental body advocated the formation of an African High Command and economic integration. But, for some strange reasons, these were shot down by the reactionary forces. With the conflicts on the continent, everybody now sees the wisdom in the suggestion by the late President Nkrumah for the formation of an African High Command which could be deployed in conflict zones to maintain peace, security and order.
The Daily Graphic is marvelled at the fear among some of the leaders on the continent concerning the implication of the new security architecture and economic integration. After all, what use are the national armies put to when they are not supposed to be fighting their own people?
On the occasion of the AU anniversary, therefore, we call on the leaders on the continent to initiate policies that will give a new image to Africa. We need to move the continent away from one torn apart by war, famine, disease and poverty to a continent full of hope because the leaders offer strong leadership at both the national and continental levels.
Events in Somalia, the Darfur region in the Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burundi and the xenophobic attacks in South Africa only confirm fears that the continent is not ready to take up the challenge offered by globalisation and South-South co-operation.
To achieve this, there should be leadership that will engender participation and ownership of the continent's objective of achieving greater unity and solidarity among the peoples of the continent.