The need for African unity

It is an indisputable fact that no nation can prosper without others. Just like human beings, we need each other whenever the need arises.

It is clear that when we work together as individuals and nations, we can even develop better.

Development does not only stop at economic emancipation, but other domains of life.

Development has to do with so many things, including an educated citizenry, well-informed people, self-reliance, adherence to the rule of law, self-defence, exercise of fundamental freedoms - the list goes on and on.

To achieve the aforementioned, a country needs external support and allies, such as genuine friendship.

As nations, we need each other, either during difficult and non-difficult moments.

For example, over the years, this country has seen the arrival and departure of our gallant soldiers from Darfur, Sudan, where some of them spent about six months to one year on peacekeeping missions, all geared towards finding lasting peace and stability in that country.

All these, and a host of others, should remind us that, as nations, we need each other.

How would a country look like when it is isolated by powerful international organisations and nations.

This brings us to the necessity of the much-talked about African unity. No nation can stand alone without depending on others; so there is a need to further strengthen our relations with the rest of the world.

In fact, we are part of the global village, and no single country can afford to be alone. When nations work together in unison, a lot can be achieved. We have said it many a time that we need to unite Africa.

As the saying goes, united we stand, divided we fall. Uniting this great continent of ours in key areas of trade, economy, security, etc. could be a starting point for the complete political unification of the continent.

When we pull our resources together, we can better the lot of our people. As Africans, we must also stop the unnecessary wars and conflicts which are some of the pinching factors responsible for our under-development.

This continent is blessed naturally with many mineral resources, yet many people in Africa live in abject poverty.

As Africans, what we should understand is that integration is a prerequisite for Africa’s development. No nation can develop without the support of others.

The support may not necessarily be financial, but it could be technical aid.
“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”

Albert Einstein