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The integration of Africa into a full union has always been
on the agenda of African politics, yet the African Union
still remains an empty box. This paper reviews the history
of the activity of a key integrating institution like the
OAU, now AU. It is found that two things are critical in
explaining the reasons why no consensus has been reached so
far: first, lack of a sustained commitment on the part of
the African leaders; and second, the countries are not
structurally ready, given the very high degree of
heterogeneity that characterizes them. The paper recommends
the reorganisation of the various regional integration
arrangements, by cutting down their number into three
delimitated entities: West-Central, North, and South, then
proceed to the creation of the union, only when these
entities start working efficiently. The process should not
be long though if the leaders are truly committed.
Key words:
Integration, union, commitment, consensus |
