MY POINT OF VIEW

As opposed to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) that emerged from this gathering, a meaningful name that should have ensured the sustainability and the development of the entire African continent should have been the African Economic Community.

 Due to the lack of foresightedness, they failed thinking beyond the immediate issues that were at hand, and as a result focused their entire commitment on ensuring that a political organization for Africa would emerge and be strong enough to counter the colonial influence on the continent. Sadly enough, they all failed to realize the strength in economic empowerment, which if they did utilise effectively should have long achieved what the thought they could achieve through creating the political organisation called the OAU.

Without any disrespect for the founders of the OAU, I will mention here that, they were like some great architects with brilliant ideas and objectives, but lacked the defined and feasible formula on how to achieve that goal of unifying Africa. As it is known, the OUA primary objective was to find a framework for corporation and a forum for Advocacy for Africa’s causes and for joint action in their interest. There was neither a phrase calling for economic advancement or emphasising the need to create a single market that will empower the continent, and hence provide it with a stronger economic weapon.

......To be continued