Africa must get common approach on global front

While the case for political and economic unity in Africa is strong, this need not be framed exclusively along the unlikely lines of seeking an Africa president.

Indeed, doing so may discourage the pulling together that will most benefit the continent in its relations with the rest of the world.

What the region needs more is a coherent approach to issues that affect its people and a willingness by all 53 countries to stand together when targeted for lobbying by other regions and world powers.

The idea of an Africa president was the brainchild of former Libyan despot Muammar Gadaffi, a self-styled ‘King of Kings’ humoured by most fellow leaders in life due to his generosity. It has now been echoed by Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, another leader critical of foreign influence, but hampered by his poor standing in global opinion.

 The Zimbabwean leader hopes this talk will spark debate at an upcoming African Union summit in Ethiopia and help draw nations out of their regional shells.

Africa’s relations with international bodies, from the UN and the International Criminal Court, as well as with foreign nations, are significantly impaired by the absence of a common approach. The role the continent should play on the global stage, whether in determining matters of international trade, security and geo-politics or resolving internal conflicts will be immeasurably improved through strengthening of institutions like the AU. Using them to channel the collective desires of the continent’s people requires an approach to integration that is not focused too rigidly on positions that could threaten sovereignty of nations.