[AU-Monitor] Peoples' Voices in the Grand Debate: CSO and Citizen
Interviews on the Proposal for a Union Government
Hakima Abbas
hakima at fahamu.org
Wed May 23 20:28:19 BST 2007
Peoples’ Voices in the Grand Debate:
CSO and Citizen Interviews on the Proposal for a Union Government
Saloman Kebede interviewed several African civil society leaders and
citizens about the “Grand Debate on the Union Government” to be held
at the June 2007 summit of the African Union. The following
interviews of Amir Ahmed Mangheli of the Somaliland National
Disability Forum, Bougouma Diagne of the Cultural Association For
Social & Educational Self Promotion, George Adhanja of the Kenya
National Council of NGOs as well as Ihsan Abdalla and Halima Mohammed
of the International Muslim Women Union are part of a series of
interviews, to be published in AU-Monitor, of African citizens and
civil society leaders on the AU proposal for Continental Government.
The interviews were conducted by the Pan Africa Programme of Oxfam in
the corridors of a civil society meeting organized by UN-CONGO and
FEMNET in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the week of the 13 March 2007.
Emily Mghanga of Oxfam’s Pan Africa Programme edited this interview.
These interviews are also available at www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor.
Please send comments to aumonitor.editor at gmail.com.
It’s Too Early For A Continental Government
Interview with Amir Ahmed Mangheli, Somaliland National Disability Forum
Saloman Kebede: What would be the implications of the continental
integration taking into account the present situation?
Amir Ahmed Mangheli: We must first acknowledge that African leaders
have differing opinions. For instance, Gaddafi’s enthusiasm for
continental unity in the early stages of creating the AU was not
warmly shared by his counterparts, neither were other African
countries keen on supporting Nigeria’s bid to join the security
council. These are important challenges. The Union proposal should
not assume that there are insensitivities of how far individualized
countries are willing to go in sharing out their resources for the
benefit of other countries. There is need for sensitization and broad-
based consultation at country level to ensure full support for the
Union proposal.
Saloman Kebede: What milestones would you like to see achieved within
the 1st phase of two years?
Amir Ahmed Mangheli: The AU commission should design a program that
breaks down the barriers of colonial boundaries. This may take some
time, but it is important. They should also agree on free trade
across these territories.
Saloman Kebede: What meaningful decisions should the head of states
take to make this process people driven, rights based and publicly
accountable to African citizens?
Amir Ahmed Mangheli: The current Heads of States should give room for
other potential leaders across the continents who have really taken
interest in the African Union. We should not have a standing
president take leadership of the continental Government. There is
also a need to stop oppressing the rights of people and guarantee
accountability at all levels of office.
Saloman Kebede: Do you think the timing is right?
Amir Ahmed Mangheli: There is always a road map for everything. The
OAU came after sixty years of colonialism and then forty years later,
we have had African Union, which has not stayed for a long time. Now
the Heads of States want one, unified African state. With the
weaknesses in the regional economic communities, can we pull the
Continentl Government together without a collective vision of the
African Union? We need about ten years so that we can achieve this.
The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.
Amir Ahmed Mangheli can be reached by email at amir2230 at yahoo.com
Popularise The Union, It’s Time Has Come
Interview with Bougouma Diagne, Cultural Association For Social &
Educational Self Promotion, Senegal.
Saloman Kebede: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current
proposal?
Bougouma Diagne: The current essence of the proposal is that if we
unite, we become stronger and will realise the same objectives and
goals. A weak point to note is that many African countries are
dependant and in-directly controlled by stronger economies in Asia,
North America and Europe.
Saloman Kebede: Should it be adopted in Accra in July 2007, what
would you like to see the African Union Commission achieve within the
first phase (2007-2009)?
Bougouma Diagne: The African Union Commission should first popularize
that decision across the continent in order to involve all citizens
in the process.
Saloman Kebede: Why would this form of continental union be important
to African citizens & particular the poor and marginalized?
Bougouma Diagne: The AU Commission has to create ways of African
citizens to participate. It is most acceptable to have organs that
ignore or unaccountable to public opinion.
Saloman Kebede: How could states and non-states ensure that
continental union efforts are transparent, participatory and driven
by an appreciation of political and economic rights?
Bougouma Diagne: The main objective should be to implement the AU
charter and particularly sections that safeguard the rights of
people. This will ensure citizen involvement in the AU agenda. That
way we can be sure that people will have an interest in continental
union.
Saloman Kebede: What obstacles must the AU overcome for the
continental union to be successful?
Bougouma Diagne: The AU has to take cultural diversity into
consideration and plan so that we are all accommodated. This will
bring harmony and acceptance from all citizens in the continent.
Saloman Kebede: In what policy area, would you like to see greater
convergence and unity across Africa and why?
Bougouma Diagne: Education is the main problem in Africa, because an
illiterate society is undermined in many ways.
The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.
Bougouma Diagne can be reached by email at capes at sentoo.sn /acapes
at acapes.org
Without Free Trade And Free Movement, No Need For Africans To Unite
Interview with George Adhanja, The Kenya National Council of NGOs.
Saloman Kebede: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current
proposal?
George Adhanja: If the heads of states continue to meet and work
together in one spirit then this strengthens the proposal. However,
the relationship that still exists between countries across this
continent is challenged by dishonesty and mistrust. This may weaken
this proposal and in the end, hamper the success of a Continental Union.
Saloman Kebede: Should it be adopted in Accra in July 2007, what
would you like to see the
African Union Commission achieve within the first phase (2007-2009)?
George Adhanja: The AU Commission should bring an end to civil wars
in Africa.
Saloman Kebede: And why would this form of continental Union be
important to African citizens & particular the poor and marginalized?
George Adhanja: African citizens will enjoy free movement and free
trade across the continent that will be of great benefit to the poor
and marginalized in particular. We need to see a unity that will
uphold and respect citizen rights.
Saloman Kebede: How could states and non-states ensure that
continental Union efforts are transparent, participatory and driven
by an appreciation of political and economic rights?
George Adhanja: Let the member states become the engine that will run
the continental Government devoid of western influence. The only way
we will move forward in a Union Government, is by focusing entirely
in doing what is right for the African people.
Saloman Kebede: What obstacles must the AU overcome for the
continental Union to be successful?
George Adhanja: We must be financially independent in order to be
self –reliant and stop depending on the west.
Saloman Kebede: In what policy area, would you like to see greater
convergence and unity across Africa and why?
George Adhanja: I strongly would advocate for free trade and free
movement. Without these, there is no need for Africans to unite.
Saloman Kebede: Do you have anything that you would like to add?
George Adhanja: Yes. Let us have a Union that respects civil society.
It is fundamental for the civil society to be given more room to
engage without discrimination as seen in some countries.
The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.
George Adhanja can be reached by email at admin at ngocouncil.org
We Can Unite, If We All Agree
Joint Interview With Ihsan Abdalla And Halima Mohammed, International
Muslim Women Union.
Saloman Kebede: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current
proposal?
Ihsan Abdalla: We have diverse backgrounds and so our understanding
and opinions will be different, This is a weakness, but if we can
agree on the principles and the basics, we can still come up with the
best proposal for a continental Government. Even among NGOs and
different civil society organizations, we do not have unified
objectives today. That is why we need a continental Government to be
established so that we are united. I hope to see a Union Government
that will make a real difference in accountability and transparency.
Saloman Kebede: Should it be adopted in Accra in July 2007, what
would you like to see the African Union Commission achieve within the
first phase (2007-2009)?
Ihsan Abdalla: As an African nation, we look forward to see the
African Union become like the United Nations. We hope that these
objectives are realized. If we succeed in establishing a continental
body, then we will succeed in having the same objective as the United
Nations.
Saloman Kebede: And why would this form of continental Union be
important to African citizens & particular the poor and marginalized?
Ihsan Abdalla: One of the objectives of the MGDs is eradicating
poverty and this is one of the basic needs of the African citizen.
Other needs include health service and education. We need to move
forward to implement the MDGs and we will succeed in supporting the
continent.
Saloman Kebede: How could states and non-states ensure that
continental Union efforts are transparent, participatory and driven
by an appreciation of political and economic rights?
Halima Mohammed: If the national welfare of every country is the
highest priority for both the NGOs and Governments then, there will
be transparency. If the Government and civil society organizations
meet on this goal, then a continental Union shall serve and be a good
umbrella for all.
Saloman Kebede: In what policy area, would you like to see greater
convergence and unity across Africa and why?
Halima Mohammed: The MDGs suggest these main areas, which are
education, health, poverty eradication, human rights and conflict
eradication. I hope this Union will see the light of day and be
successful in solving the problems in Africa. Africans have the
capacity to solve their problems.
The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.
Ihsan Abdalla and Halima Mohammed can be reached by email at info at
imwu.org.
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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
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