THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE AWARE ABOUT EUROPEAN UNION. HOWEVER, AFRICA HAS ITS OWN LESS GLAMOROUS COUNTERPART, THE AU. HERE'S HOW.
In 2017, Morocco became the last remaining African nation to join the AU. Thus, all the African countries are now part of the AU. Since its inception in 2002 as a predecessor of Organisation of African Unity, the AU has had minimal impact in terms of actual results.
To know more about the theoretical stuff regarding aims and objectives, CLICK HERE.
I am going to focus more upon its actual impact on the continent & global affairs.
SOME ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Its not that this organisation is a complete farce. It has been able to achieve some success as noted below.
Recently, it has been able to maintain peace in highly volatile Somalia. Through the support of UN Peacekeeping Forces, it has accomplished a state of detente between the Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, controls most southern and central areas, while the UN-backed government only runs the capital, Mogadishu and a few small areas. Its efforts began in march, 2007.
note: the decline continued after a violent 2016
It has also been able to significantly reduce conflict in Sudan & Comoros between a nexus of hostile groups.
AU has signed various trade agreements with nations like China, Germany, France and USA boosting trade & commerce.
FAILURE & FUTURE CHALLENGES
1.It has faced miserably with relations to economic development. Except Ghana (fastest growing economy), Nigeria (richest economy) and Ethiopia (excellent leadership & reforms) almost all African nations have poor economic prospects.
The lighter the shade of blue, smaller the GDP. So notice the African continent.
2. Another major issue is lack of democracy. Africa is a breeding ground for autocracies and the AU has failed to address this issue.
4. More importantly,the quality of life of African people. There is mass poverty, insufficient infrastructure, poor housing, lack of quality education, limited job creation and shambolic healthcare. The AU could have targeted poor regions, encouraged FDI there or even grant access to loans for development.
5. Last but not the least is foreign influence. Nations like France have practiced neo-colonialism in this region. For more on this matter,CLICK HERE. China has also lured many poor African nations by offering them unpayable debt and exerting influence in domestic matters. This is termed by many as "Debt trap diplomacy". For example, the country of Djibouti has Chinese debt equivalent to 75% of its total GDP.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD?
The existence of AU itself has been lauded by several African experts. What's more is that the African leaders have realized the benefit of working together, So by 2023, AU plans to have:
A central African Bank
A common currency like the Euro for all African nations
Visa free travel like the Schengen Zone of EU
Astute readers will identify that they want to follow the EU blueprint. If these reforms are implemented, they will be great as:
Common Central Bank=Good foreign exchange reserves+control over inflation+Reduced foreign dependence
Common currency=Massive trade boost+open market for smooth flow of goods & services
Visa free travel= more employment opportunity+Boost to tourism
TODAY'S ARTICLE IS BASED ON IMPARTIAL RESEARCH & ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. ANY DOUBTS, SUGGESTIONS, FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME.
SEE YOU TOMORROW!