African Union Day

African Union Day (AU) falls on 25 May every year but this year it was clouded with the violence that is going on in South Africa against other African migrants. South Africa at the last Africa Union Conference which was held in Accra, Ghana in 2007, were one of the main proponents of putting systematic measures together but not being hasty in order to become 'one' unlike their Libyan counterparts.

The violence that is being seen in South Africa is a deep-seated one and began way before steps towards a united Africa were rekindled by the present African leaders. The late Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana had plans for a united Africa but unfortunately he did not get to see his dream unfold. Fifty years on, we are still struggling to achieve this dream and rather the continent is being ravaged by unrest,civil wars, hunger, poverty, corruption and a host of other factors.

Some people wondered why we had to celebrate another holiday but for me, it was a day for reflection; to understand why this continent is still not united and why we are still not self-sufficient. A high percentage of the world's natural resources are to be found on this beautiful continent of ours but are we utilising the resources to better our individual countries? NO!! As a result of civil wars and economic hardship, a number of people have had to leave their home countries and settle in other countries. Some have honest jobs and others are even fortunate to own a business. However we need to understand that whatever problems the people in any one country may be facing, should not be metered out to the other nationals living there.

It is time the South African government woke up to the plight of their people and find out the true reason for all the violence. Violence never solved anything and the earlier we begin to appreciate this, the better.

Oh and for those of you out there is there a criteria for joining the AU just like that of the EU? If you do happen to know about a critiera for joining the AU kindly share it with us. I know about the African Peer Review mechanism but that is different. As always do comment and share.