By: Sulayman Waan
Unity been a challenge since African countries gained independent from their colonial masters (European and America), now in the just concluded AYC in The Gambia African youth have highlighted the factors affecting the unity of the continent and offered recommendation to ensure United State of Africa in the near future.
Some of the African youth made significant remarks in an interview with The Voice at the recent Pan African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development held in Kairaba Beach. Among them are –
Mohammed Aded, a Somalian youth said the reason why the African continent did not accomplish the unity that many Pan Africans were advocating is because there is no integration and proper coordination within the African countries to ensure the United State of Africa.
If “Africa is one, they will establish proper coordination team to share information across the continent to recognize the policies of the African Union such as the Africa agenda 2063 then the continent will be united,” he recommended.
He advised African youth to partake in the decision making process in their various countries as the youth are the drivers of the development of every country, adding they should institute more youth organizations in their countries in order to be connected.
Jennifer Yere, Nigerian noted that there is no clear mindset of African unity on the populace. She said average of African youth have the concept that unity is not necessary in the continent because they considered their own affairs instead of focusing on the continent’s unity.
“They failed to understand all African are one and the same because what affect one African affects other and injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere,” she stated.
Speaking further she revealed that bad governance is another factor affecting the unity of Africa noting that most African leaders’ belief that hence they are not united in their countries they cannot attain the unity that Africans are yearning for.
Yere, a professional lawyer said the United State of Africa can be attained if Africans deliberate on their policies and integrate to ensure the unity and development of Africa. She added that frequent meetings regarding the unity of the continent and raising awareness to the public is essential in ensuring rapid African unity.
Marvel Yeba Doh, Cameron national said African failed to achieve the unity owing to the selfishness of some Africans, though many African struggles for leadership in their countries just for their personal interest instead of the interest of their countries and the continent.
Ms Doh added that there is need for the continent to be united because the people of Africa can only attain sustainable development goal when they are integrated. “Unity is a necessity because if we are not united we will not develop and we will be marginalized and suppress by the west,” she stressed.
Patrick Mahaelson Gibrilla, Sierra Leone national said now is the time for African continent to unite after been under the west for decades. He called on African leaders to commence negotiating in opening African borders so that their people would travel freely across the continent.