The Africans and Africa Problems
Africa over the years has experienced increasing corruption, drought, civil conflict, refugee crises, poverty and presently terrorism and banditry. Many of the least developing countries of the world are located in Africa and Efforts made in promoting and maintaining stability in this continent had recorded little success. In the first quarter of the 20th century, most Africa countries fought for independence and by the mid-90s the continent were free from the shackle hands of colonialism. The word Neocolonialism became another battle after independence.
Had there been efforts by African leaders to contain and manage the effects of these crises? Yes there are, and among is the establishment of OAU which was to unify the newly independent African states around a common set of goals, albeit with little success. By the late 1960s, the OAU faced several challenges. Perhaps, most important was the Biafran secessionist movement in Nigeria in 1967, which forced the OAU leaders to intervene on the behalf of the Nigeria government. The Apartheid and the rising interest rates on foreign loans also undermined the social and economic development of many African states and this complicated the OAU’S mission and engendered what many now call as neocolonialism. In spite of that, the African leaders never gave up, instead, they responded to the worsening conditions by calling on OAU’s members to establish the African Union. The hope was that a constituted or updated OAU could effectively address the emerging challenge of the post – Cold war era, including the resurgence of civil war and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
What remains unclear is if the African Union can become a high-profile major player. The AU inability to contain the genocide in Darfur region which prompted the UN security council to adopt a resolution that mandated the implementation of peacekeeping operations in the region. The recent coup in Mali, Guinea and Sudan had also threaten the existence of the Organization. The rampant state corruption in many countries and the abusive practices of transnational corporations. Can AU ever achieve the goals of OAU?
What effects will the Africa free continental Trade Area have on our economy and socio-political development? It’s high time the Africans start solving the problems of Africa. We need to define and understand our political culture. Critics are more than problem solvers; all we do is to protect our own interest. The blame on colonization and imperialism need to be addressed. Since independence, there had been increasing lack of cohesion, civil conflict and economic degradation. Africans have never been free from the underdevelopment of Africa.
ABISOYE JEMIL OLAWALE