BY ADDISALEM MULAT
African Union has been trying to promote peace, security and development on the continent since its establishment. The continental bloc has played a crucial role in facilitating peace talks and negotiations, which have led to peaceful resolutions in some countries. Suffice it to mention the recent Pretoria peace deal signed between the Ethiopian and Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
The Union has taken significant steps towards ensuring economic development in the continent. To achieve this goal, it has introduced and implemented different initiatives that focus on promoting trade, industrialization, and infrastructure development within the African countries. It is believed that industrialization can drive economic growth in Africa by creating jobs, generating income, and improving living standards. By prioritizing industrialization, the African countries together with the Union have been working towards building a robust, diversified, and competitive economy on the continent.
Infrastructure development is also a key area of focus for the African Union. It recognizes that inadequate infrastructure is one of the major challenges hindering economic development in Africa. Therefore, the union is investing in various infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, airports, and power plants in a bid to improve connectivity, reduce transport costs, and increase access to essential services. In the realm of economic development, there are various initiatives introduced by the African Union aimed at promoting certain aspects such as intra-Africa trade, industrialization, and infrastructure development. These initiatives serve as a driving force for economic growth, helping to facilitate increased trade between African countries.
This common market is expected to create a more competitive environment that will encourage the development of regional value chains and the use of intra-regional trade in boosting the economic growth of Africa. Additionally, industrialization also plays a critical role in the continent’s economic development, and as such, the African Union has launched various programs and policies geared towards facilitating industrial growth by promoting small and medium scale enterprises and providing financial incentives for businesses.
The Union has made it a priority to address important issues such as gender equality, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The organization recognizes that these issues are vital to promoting growth and progress in Africa. In order to achieve their goals, the African Union has launched various initiatives aimed at promoting women’s participation in politics and empowering young people through education and skills training. Despite these efforts, Africa still faces numerous challenges. Conflict and insecurity remains a major problem in certain parts of the continent. These issues have hindered progress and development, making it difficult for the Union to fully realize its goals.
Poverty and inequality are persistent issues across the African continent, with a significant proportion of people lacking access to fundamental necessities such as healthcare and education. These challenges continue to undermine efforts towards sustainable and equitable development, and their resolution remains a top priority for the African Union. The scale and complexity of these challenges underscores the need for sustained collaboration and support from various stakeholders, including member states, international partners, and civil society organizations. The African Union recognizes that addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change requires a concerted effort that draws on diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise. Only through collaborative action we can build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all Africans.
The importance of collaboration between member states cannot be overstated in promoting peace and stability while facilitating conflict resolution. Sustainable development and inclusive growth are crucial for the long-term well-being of the region, which member states should work to achieve through joint efforts. The continental bloc has achieved many significant milestones during its existence, such as promoting regional and continental integration, encouraging political stability, and fostering economic growth across the continent. As a result of its dedicated efforts, Africa is now in a better position to achieve lasting peace, development, and prosperity.
Despite the challenges that still exist on the African continent, there is a renewed commitment and dedication to working collaboratively towards a peaceful, prosperous, and equitable Africa. Through a shared vision and collective effort, the African Union believes that it can overcome the remaining challenges and build a united, prosperous, and integrated Africa. It is essential for the Union and its member states to continue their collaborative efforts and work together to ensure that the vision is realized. The African continent is struggling with a diversity of issues that are hindering its progress and development. These challenges stem from both internal and external factors and are presenting daunting obstacles to the people of Africa. Among these problems are poverty, disease, corruption, conflict, environmental degradation, and unequal distribution of resources.
To overcome these obstacles, the citizens of Africa must stand united and work together towards a common goal. It is crucial for Africans to avoid being divided along ethnic, racial, or national lines as this division only serves to weaken the strength of the people and hinder their progress. By working together, Africans can tackle these challenges more effectively and efficiently. Social challenges that Africa faces include issues with healthcare, education, and poverty. Many of its citizens lack access to proper health facilities and quality education, which hinders their ability to grow and develop. Poverty is also a persistent problem in many African countries, making it difficult for people to access basic needs. On the economic front, the continent still faces challenges such as high unemployment rates and a lack of foreign investment.
Despite these challenges, the African continent remains optimistic about its growth and development prospects. There are signs of progress as more countries continue to adopt policies that promote sustainable growth and development. These policies are geared towards addressing the various challenges the continent faces and creating a conducive environment for business and investors. By fostering a sense of unity, African countries can better equip themselves to tackle challenges such as corruption and conflict, as they work alongside one another to create and enforce ethical practices and laws. In terms of poverty reduction and improving access to healthcare, collaboration allows nations to share resources and expertise, closing gaps and disparities across different regions.
Africans have to revitalize values of Pan-Africanism so as to realize the shared vision of making the African continent stable and prosperous, said senior diplomats. The diplomats made the remark at panel discussion organized by African Leadership Excellency Academy in connection with African Day. Opening the panel, Ethiopian Foreign Affairs State Minister Ambassador Mesganu Arega said that African former leaders came together and found the OAU to realize Africa’s independence and sovereignty. “Our visionary fathers/mothers including Emperor Haile Selassie, Kwame Nkrumah, Jullus Nyrere and many others had shared vision of uniting Africa.
So, it is must to commemorate their contribution to build nations of Africa. And, values of Pan-Africanism instigated by them should be transferred to generations,” he remarked. As founders came long way to realize the continental organization, the existing generation also has to go long way to achieve visions of the AU; realizing truly united and prosperous Africa, he stated. “The continent Africa is being challenged by several factors coming from internal and external forces. We need to make sure of that values of Pan-Africanism are solutions and should be transferred to the coming generation.”
At the event, he urged African diplomats and leaders to support and facilitate AU’s this year agenda of facilitating the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCTA). It was learnt that the AfCTA is Africa’s flagship project that could integrate AU member states’ economy. The implementation of such continental agenda requires strong commitment and efforts of member states. Africa is known for its rich natural resource, culture and for its resilient peoples. All of these resources should be employed to unlock developmental opportunities. Ethiopia, for its part embraces the vision of integration and the government is working to support intra-continental investment, Amb. Mesganu indicated.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 27 MAY 2023
