God bless the African Union

African heads of state and diplomats did the right thing July 9-11 in heralding into existence the African Union.

Thirty-eight years after the formation of the first continental body, the Organization of African Unity, an organization that has outlived its usefulness, the African leaders envision a different organization that will address the new realities of the 21st century.

During the years of the OAU, the task was releasing the grip of colonialism and establishing a base for independence and self-determination. While a new form of colonialism is running rampant throughout the continent, trying to establish a foothold in order to continue to dominate the Motherland into the new century, African leaders appear to be saying, enough is enough.

In some ways it appears that the planners of the African Union are modeling the baby organization after the models of the west. And while they should take the good from the examples that are in existence, Africa must remember her own roots, culture, mores and values. To follow the morally-decadent west too far in their institutional designs will only contaminate the new organization with the illnesses that plague western institutions.

During apartheid and white occupation of the continent, the objective was simple: Uproot colonialism. Some movements took a more passive approach while others resorted to more militant means. Still, the objective was clear.

In this new era, the objectives might not be as clear to some. In this day of post-colonial independence, is the objective to stop globalization? Is the objective to embrace globalization from an African perspective? Is it to partner with Western multi-nationals to develop the mineral wealth in order to boost the economy, making some rich while leaving others far behind? Is the objective to embrace "democracy" in all its western-defined glory?

The African Union is a reality, but in order to stay alive member states must know that the wicked are constantly at work to kill any seed of real liberation for the Black continent. Some of those seeds are the same that have been sown to keep the continent in chaos since independence�envy, jealousy, greed, distrust of one another, lack of love for the condition of the masses, etc.

Another seed already hinted at includes accusing Libya�s Col. Muammar Gadhafi of wanting to overshadow the African Union and use Islam to dominate his brothers who may be Christian, animist or any other religion. The Islam vs. Christianity tactic is the latest scheme against Black unity used by an enemy that has no love for religion or for Black people.

If Africa is to move down the road of true liberation and evolve into the world power it is destined to become, then African heads of state must truly commit to the goals of the AU, not play lip service to the goals during summits. It means leaders may have to render some of their power and, ultimately, African countries may lose some of their sovereignty to the AU.

True democracy, meaning the rule of the will of the people, must become entrenched into the African fabric, once the people are enlightened to their own self-interests. And that self-interest is an independent, powerful United States of Africa, whose development and institutions can rival any found in the world.

The difference, however, must be that from the land of our forefathers, a light of life, liberty, true freedom and justice must emanate to the world. That�s different from the light of slavery, colonialism, oppression and dominance of the rich over the poor that emanates from today�s global powers.

FinalCall.com