African Union

Reinvent African Union
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s attempt to succeed himself as chairman of the African Union is completely incomprehensible unless the issue were to be looked at in terms of the man’s pretensions of grandeur.

The African Union, just like its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, has not proved itself in any major way, and it is not clear whether in its present format, we can’t do without it.

It is clear Col Gaddafi still fancies himself as the only person who can bring about a United States of Africa. But the tide of history is against him, because the continent is going about forging that unity through regional economic and trading blocs before they can even start thinking about political unions.

And this is the right way to go. After all, it has always been proved that two neighbours who carry on brisk cross-border trade are unlikely to go to war, for there is too much to lose on both sides.

As for the question as to whether the AU has been effective in preventing or at least alleviating the effects of coups d’etat or implosions like the case of Somalia, DRC and others, the jury is still out.

Only in Somalia has it succeeded in convincing countries like Ethiopia and Uganda to send peacekeepers, who have been spectacularly unsuccessful.
It will be recalled that during the 8th African Union Summit which took place in Addis Ababa on 29 and 30 January 2007, the Heads of State and Government decided to launch a competition for the selection of a new flag for the Union.

They prescribed a green background for the flag symbolising hope of Africa and stars to represent Member States.

Pursuant to this decision, the African Union Commission (AUC) organized a competition for the selection of a new flag for the African Union.

All African citizens were free to compete, including those in the Diaspora and the laureate would be awarded a prize in cash.

The AUC received a total of 106 entries proposed by citizens of 19 African countries and 2 from the Diaspora.

The proposals were then examined by a panel of experts put in place by the African Union Commission and selected from the five African regions for short listing according to the main directions given by the Heads of State and Government.

At the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the Heads of State and Government examined the report of the Panel and selected one among all the proposals.

The flag is now part of the paraphernalia of the African Union and replaces the old one.

Union Commission and selected from the five African regions for short listing according to the main directions given by the Heads of State and Government.