Statement of the Debate on the Union Government

The various individuals, groups and organizations attending the Roundtable Debate on the African Union Proposal to Establish a Union Government in Accra, Ghana on June 20, 2007, have read the African Union draft “Study on an African Union Government Towards the United States of Africa” and wish to state that:

There is an historical link between the anti-colonial struggles for emancipation and independence of African states and the aspiration of a union of African states. We acknowledge the rich history of engagement on the integration of African states. We note, however, that this pursuit of continental integration has also been delayed by issues of state security, territorial inviolability and the lack of political will.

There is clear consensus among us in favour of accelerated continental integration that effectively responds to Africa’s economic, political and social challenges.

The acceleration of deeper continental integration of Africa needs to be achieved within a feasible, time-bound and realistic framework.

Those present for this roundtable discussion propose that:

Process Issues

1. There is a need to ensure that there is a broad, effective and popular consultative process that responds to peoples’ aspirations for continental integration;
2. There is a need to provide adequate public information on the proposal for the union government of Africa to facilitate this consultation
3. Public consultation of the African citizen should ensure inclusion of women in the debate. 4.Consultation must also include involvement of young people, children and other marginalized social groups, including those living with disabilities and those in the diaspora.
5. A sufficient body of research now exists, including the African Union’s draft study to allow the Heads of States and Governments to make concrete decisions on the way forward on the proposal for a continental government;
6. CSOs have a responsibility to promote debate and disseminate information on the proposal;
7. The heads of state should make themselves available to take part in the public debate and lead advocacy for continental government;
8. There is a need to strengthen African institutions at national, sub-regional and continental level, in preparation for the introduction of continental governance;

Substance Issues

9. There is general agreement that the proliferation of RECs has led to duplication and overlapping both in each other’s mandates and with continental organs and institutions. The agreed policy of rationalisation should be expedited. While RECs are critical to economic integration, their existence should not impede the acceleration to continental integration.
10. Member states need to commit to providing adequate resources for the process of building and facilitating accelerated continental integration and governance. Only if African citizens’ taxes are used to fund this process will they be able to hold it accountable.
11. The acceleration of continental integration needs to integrate and mainstream gender, young people, children, people with disabilities, diaspora and other marginalized social groups.
12. There are certain short-term interventions that can demonstrate member-states commitment to accelerated continental integration, above all the removal of visa requirements for African citizens across the continent.
13. It is in the interests of African citizens to have a common economic policy. African governments, however, need to immediately collaborate on the formulation and implementation of common policies, notably on infrastructure, education, trade, ICT and transportation, environment, energy, and health.
14. Although governments have expressed concerns about the erosion of the sovereignty of the state, we believe that the sovereignty of the citizen is as important as the sovereignty of the state, and implies protection of citizens’ human, political, social, economic and cultural rights.
15. African governments, while they continue to discuss union government, should in the meantime live up to the promises they have made on human and other rights.

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