There are many within Africa who often like to imagine a world where African countries would come together and collectively work towards a brighter future for the continent. They believe in the sentiments shared by pan-Africanist leaders typically shared throughout the independence movements of many African nations.
They would point towards the end of the colonial era, when African leaders from all over the continent worked together, regardless of whatever differences they had, to bring an end to colonial rule within Africa. As well as the fight against the racist Apartheid regime in South Africa (and Namibia).
Following the end of the colonial era, one could understand the belief in the ideals of African unity. The African continent had been entering a new era of independence, with our indigenous population taking the helm in our newly independent countries.
With all that hope and optimism for Africa following the end of the colonial era, Africa looked to be as unified as ever. It was on this basis that organisations like the African Union were built. Similarly, organisations like the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had been formed by member states with the aim of promoting economic integration between African countries.
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent
Nelson Mandela
Unmet promises
However, many decades later and those promises of a unified Africa continent working together towards economic prosperity have failed to reach expectations.
African countries are not unified in their objectives. The economic integration that was supposed to be achieved between African states has, so far, not materialised. In fact, quite the contrary, intra-Africa trade continues to be incredibly low compared to trade with nations outside Africa.
African nations have not collectively achieved economic prosperity, rather corruption and economic mismanagement has run rife in many of our countries. As a consequence, Africa’s destitute populations continue to suffer from economic hardship, dependent on aid (very often provided by foreign governments).
Perhaps the most unfortunate thing about this situation is that things didn’t have to be this way. African leaders could have come together to work to improve the livelihoods of their citizens, they could have done so much more but they haven’t. Not because of a lack of ability but rather because of a lack of desire.
Too many of Africa’s leaders are simply too self-serving to do anything collectively. They are more concerned about maintaining their hold onto power, along with the wealth it brings them, than they are working towards any collective effort.
Africa’s ineffective international institutions
As a result, Africa’s organisations such as the African Union, ECOWAS, SADC, etc., today largely do nothing. They have become more a stage for rhetoric of African unity than a forum for any kind of productive dialogue and legislation.
There are too many African leaders who push back on any kind of actual legislation that may compel their administrations into action. Therefore, these forums are nothing more than talk but no action.
One would just have to look at things like democratic elections. Many of these organisations, like the AU, ECOWAS, SADC, etc., require adherence to democratic principles as a prerequisite for membership. However, whenever blatantly anti-democratic policies are adopted by member states, there may be words of condemnation but no action. Therefore, governments know they can just get away with anything, without any kind of real response for other African leaders.
Another example is the insecurity in West Africa. Many West African states have been dealing with terrorist insurgencies in their countries. However, rather than nations within ECOWAS working together collectively to fight against terrorism, many states have worked largely alone in their fights against insurgents. This ineffective approach has led to deaths of many and has caused the current political instability in the region. This instability, in turn, has led to the various coups we have seen with the Sahel nations.
War is Sudan is a glaring example of Africa lack of unity
Perhaps the most glaring example of this lack of unity among African nations is the current crisis in Sudan. The war between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces has dragged on for over one year at this point and has had devastating consequences for the Sudanese people.
The war has so far caused the worst displacement crisis in the world. Alarm bells have been sounded by the United Nations of famine-like conditions experienced by displaced Sudanese refugees, and warning of a potential genocide taking place in Western Darfur have sounded.
Yet in the face of this crisis the African Union has had nothing but words of condemnation for the war, no action. African governments have done little to provide humanitarian assistance to fleeing Sudanese refugees. Quite the contrary, neighbouring African governments have displayed extreme reluctance to even accept refugees coming from Sudan.
The diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire have largely been brokered by the United States of America and other Gulf nations in the Middle East, not the African Union or any other African nation.
I remember seeing a news report of a Sudanese civilian saying that they feel they have largely been abandoned by the African continent and the world, and it would honestly be difficult for anyone to argue otherwise.
European unity versus African unity
If you were to contrast the amount of unity displayed by European nations in comparison to African nations, the results are night and day. They could not be any further from each other.
Although the European Union (EU) is not a perfect organisation, the unity they display economically and in terms of collective security, is leaps and bounds greater than the African Union.
One would just have to look at how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to see how unified European states have been in the face of Russia’s aggression. It makes one wonder why African nations could not show even an ounce of that support for the Sudanese people.
Africans want to be united
To say that African people have given up on the idea of African unity or pan-Africanism would not necessarily be true.
At least in my experience, Africans regardless of whichever country, largely believe in a more unified African continent.
Bridging that gap between the wants of the African peoples for greater unity and the self-serving interests of African politicians, however, may prove to be a very difficult hurdle to overcome.
