African Union contemplates political federation

The July summit of the African Union debated the formation of a federation of African states proposed by Lybian leader

Muammar al-Qaddafi. The resulting Declaration of Accra calls for accelerated economic and political integration with the goal of continental political integration under the United States of Africa.

Differences on the level and speed of integration could be an obstacle. Senegal backs speedy implementation of the plan, while Uganda suggests Africa is too diverse for political unity.

Former leaders such as Ghana’s Kwame Nkruma and Guinea’s Sékou Touré championed the concept of Pan-African unity in the aftermath of World War II to overcome economic underdevelopment and strengthen African states against foreign domination in the post-colonial period. Decades later, Africa still suffers from imperialist intervention.