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AU Grand Debate on Union Government
ends without decision on time line
Accra, July 4, Ghanadot/GNA - The two-day grand debate on
the proposed Pan-African Government by African political
leaders ended deep into the night on Tuesday without a
decision as to the nature and timeframe.
President John Agyekum Kufuor,
who is the Chairman of the Union, said there were neither
winners nor losers of the debate, but one characterised by
tolerance and mutual respect and conducted in a frank,
forthright and serious manner.
The leaders, instead, by a unanimously declaration, agreed
to set up a Ministerial Committee to identify among other
things, the contents of the Union Government concept and its
relations with national Governments.
It would also examine the domains of competence and impact
of its establishment on the sovereignty of member states and
the elaboration of a road map and timeframe.
The Committee has the added responsibility of defining the
relationship between the Union Government and the Regional
Economic Communities (RECs) and to look at ways of getting
additional sources of financing the activities of the
continental Government.
The outcome of its studies would be submitted to a Committee
of Heads of State and Government, which in turn, would make
appropriate recommendations to the next ordinary session of
the African Union (AU) to be held in the Ethiopian Capital,
Addis Ababa, in January 2008.
It was not about winners or losers but the rededication of
"ourselves to the building of a Union Government" and the
common vision and principle for its realisation.
He said they were determined to build the necessary synergy
to unite Africa and fight the unacceptable level of poverty
among its peoples.
Africa's political integration was not going to be modelled
after that of the United States of America (USA) or the
European Union.
It would be something to suit the unique attributes of the
Continent.
He said the leaders on account of the shared vision of a
united and vibrant continental union resolved to inject new
dynamism, re-energise and bring a new momentum to the AU.
Consequently, the capacity of the AU and its organs are to
be strengthened.
President Kufuor stressed the need for the rationalization
and harmonisation of the RECs to lead an African Common
Market through the stages of the treaty establishing the
African Economic Commission.
He said the leaders recognised the importance of involving
peoples of Africa including the Diaspora in the processes
leading to the formation of the continental Government.
The Ninth Accra Summit of the AU attended by 52 Heads of
State and Government was devoted to the single agenda of
discussing the future of the Union.
That there was total endorsement of the proposed Union
Government was not in doubt, the devil however, was in the
nature and speed.
While some of the leaders were eager to see immediate
political integration others favoured a gradual approach.
GNA
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