[AU-Monitor] Summit Decisions and more

[Hakima Abbas]

Africans in Diaspora Seek Strong Unity Government

This Day, Abimbola Akosile - Lagos

Africans in the Diaspora have called on all African Diaspora leaders  
to support the building a strong Diaspora region that will positively  
influence the creation of an African government for all African people.

The call, which followed a recent failure by the African Union (AU)  
leaders to unify Africa under one central government, was made by the  
convenors of the 2007 Pan Afrikan Movement (PAM) Summit, which is  
holding in Kingston, Jamaica from July 16-18. The Jamaica summit,  
according to a statement by the conveners, is expected to have  
African veteran leaders, scholars, activists, faith leaders,  
dignitaries, entrepreneurs and students in attendance focusing on Pan  
African unity in the Diaspora.

Read more:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/282/


African Union Failed the Crucial Test
Caesar Zvayi - Harare

No one denies that it is only through a Union government and unity of  
purpose that Africa can claim its rightful stake in the world.

Barring unity, Africa would continue suffering the depredations of  
Western nations bent on exploiting its vast resources for self- 
enrichment.

But so vast are the challenges Africa has to overcome that a really  
radical approach is needed if the dream of a United States of Africa  
is to be realised, which means there is no room for placating the  
West in this revolutionary undertaking.

Read more:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/281/


Death by Committee
Tajudeen Abdul Raheem

African leaders have again squandered yet another opportunity, an  
historic one, to lead decisively. Instead they have gone for the  
least common denominator, the line of least resistance, by deciding  
not to decide. The all-important issue of a Government of the Union  
that was billed as The Grand Debate at the recently concluded AU  
summit, has been referred to yet another committee that will report  
at the next summit in January in Addis Ababa.

We are all familiar with the saying that the best way to kill an idea  
is to form a committee about it. How many more committees do we need  
to make this decision?

Read more:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/278/


African Citizenship for All

During the opening of the African Union Executive Council on June 28,  
President Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the  
African Union (AU), referred to the issuance of the first diplomatic  
African Union passports in May 2007 as a symbolic gesture toward  
African citizenship. Civil society organisations (CSOs) attending the  
summit called for the AU to move beyond symbolism to action.

Read more:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/279/


Adopt It Without Delay

Daily Graphic - The President of Liberia, Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,  
has urged African leaders to endorse without delay the concept of a  
United States of Africa. She has also prodded them to instruct, in no  
uncertain terms, all regional economic commissions and community  
institutions to formulate and adopt the road map and the time table  
for the achievement that goal.

“This will allow institutions to move forward in peace with  
progress.” she added.

Read more of article and for full text of President Johnson-Sirleaf  
speech:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/276/


Diaspora Needs Voice in Africa Government

The Statesman - The African diaspora needs a voice in the African  
Union and any future African unity government to reflect the  
influence it exercises across the world on the continent’s behalf,  
civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson said.

But while he supported a push for greater African integration,  
Jackson said issues like the conflict in Sudan"s western Darfur  
region and the crisis in Zimbabwe must be tackled if unity was to  
carry moral authority.

Read more:
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/275/


Executive Council Decision Available in French and English

The decisions and declarations of the Executive Council are now  
available in English and in French.


More Summit Documents Available

The draft protocol on relations between the African Union and the  
Regional Economic Communities and the report on candidatures for  
Commissioners positions are now available.


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-----------------------------------------------------

Hakima Abbas
Policy Analyst, AU-Monitor
Fahamu - Networks for Social Justice
Email: hakima at fahamu.org
Skype: hakima_abbas
www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor
www.fahamu.org



Hakima Abbas
Policy Analyst, AU-Monitor
Fahamu - Networks for Social Justice
Email: hakima at fahamu.org
Skype: hakima_abbas
www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor
www.fahamu.org





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