Beyond the Presidential Project to a Public Mandate

Interview with Andiwo Obondoh, Christian Children’s Fund.

Andiwo Obondoh is the Regional Adviser for Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) Africa, based in South Africa. In March, Emily Mghanga interviewed him on the upcoming Grand Debate on the Continental Government during the next African Union Summit, June – July 2007. This interview is one of several interviews with African citizens and CSO leaders on the AU proposal for Continental Government. Emily Mghanga of Pan Africa Programme Oxfam edited this interview.

Emily Mghanga: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Proposal for Union Government?

Andiwo Obondoh: Though the AU has worked well since the dissolution of the OAU, I don’t think African people are ready for a United States of Africa now. It’s an ambitious endeavor that has not been well debated by the people of Africa. What would be the structure? Does US of Africa mean political federation, economic cooperation or socio-economic cooperation? The term United States of Africa suggests an “American -style structure” where African states would be federated to an overall structure. How would we provide the structures for its leadership? I would prefer the AU structure as it is crafted now. We can then work towards improving the gaps and weaknesses. We need to improve the effectiveness of the current AU.

Emily Mghanga: What milestones would you like to see achieved within the first two years if the proposal is adopted in June?

Andiwo Obondoh: The proposal timeframe of establishing a Union Government within two years sounds rushed. Most African people are unaware that their Governments are talking about Union Government. It seems driven by political leaders for purposes of more political power within the region. I am opposed to this being adopted in July. Our leaders have not exhausted adequate consultations with people all over Africa. As a civil society actor I have not heard word about establishing a Union Government in 2007 up to until now. This tells me Union Government proposal is a club of sorts, which is bound to fail. We need to have a popularly driven process that Africans can say “yes, we are mature enough and ready for this level of integration”. Otherwise, we’ll have an integration that is not supported by the people it is supposed to serve. Let the leaders in July draw up a program for further consultation and debate to further popularize the proposal.

Emily Mghanga: But in your opinion, what kind of continental Union does Africa need?

Andiwo Obondoh: I am not opposed to continental Government if this what African citizens want, but merely renaming the structure to a United States of Africa would not add much value. We need to improve the AU structures to effectively deliver its current agenda. We need to look at the policies, capacities and resources available to deliver on AU commitments. We seem to be aping American people style of Government by naming it United States of Africa. We need something more original and more African. We could, however, adopt best practices from around the world but these should be grounded in African ideologies to enable an African unity process.

Emily Mghanga: How could the continental Union be important to African citizens especially the poor and the marginalized?

Andiwo Obondoh: One, we need a United Africa so that Africans can learn from each other by looking inward and adopting best practices from their continent to facilitate growth and development. Secondly, the several Commissions within the AU have potential to generate new knowledge to support economic and social policies and plans of national Governments. Both actions would lead to peer review and mentorship among states. It could help Africa establish higher levels of good governance and observance of rule of law and thus, encourage accountability. For instance, Kenya established free primary education in 2002. Since then, more than 10 countries in Africa have since declared FPE. This is meaningful unity of purpose.

Emily Mghanga: How could states and non-state actors ensure that Continental Union efforts are transparent, participatory, and driven by an appreciation of political and economic rights?

Andiwo Obondoh: To attain any form of unity, the AU needs to address itself to communities and their issues of security, cross-country relations and foreign policy across countries. There is need to focus on how AU in its current form can help national Governments strengthen policies, plans and programs within the social sector and deliver on water, health, education, food security and HIV/ AIDS. How can AU also strengthen governance structures at national and local level specifically the environment, human rights, public accountability, and rule of law? In the area of transport and communications, can the AU learn from South Africa and Senegal’s telecommunication advancements to support other African countries that are still in the 19th century to leap to the 21st century. The AU must also establish an effective monitoring system that monitors and peer reviews the performance of Governments in these core areas.
There must be deliberate, structured involvement of civil society and local people in establishing a Union Government. Civil societies and communities must have the capacity to hold their Governments accountable to the Union Government. We all must be able to effectively question and interrogate actions and outcomes of Government programmes and plans.

Emily Mghanga: What obstacles must the AU overcome for the continental Union to be successful?

Andiwo Obondoh: AU must immediately address all conflicts plaguing the continent. We cannot be proud of the level of conflicts 50 to 20 years after our independence. It must mitigate all disagreements that cause conflicts in countries and between states. It must also address the efficiency and effectiveness of how Governments use public resources and be bold enough to monitor and influence national outcomes against benchmarks on democracy and good governance. Enforcement and implementation of existing policies and proposals is key to whether we choose to retain AU or become US of Africa.

Emily Mghanga: In what policy area would you like to see greater convergence and unity across Africa and why?

Andiwo Obondoh: In two areas namely: governance and rule of law and the social sectors.

The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.

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