I swear I alone can run the African Union better than all the sh*ts running that organization since its creation.

Now, its Somalis turn to face the in-action of the AU.

Unlike many of my fellow citizens I supported the African Union initial actions in Sudan, Somali,and the hell that was Ethio-Eritrean War. Africa's regional organization "IGAD" have worked veryhard to solve many problems facing the region and it has done ok and the futurelooks good. You can read the current news aboutIGAD hereLINKand what it has been doing.



IGAD, unlike the AU have worked hard on many issues facing the region, it has addressed the economic side of things,made Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to havea working trade, drought control, regional security and political dialogue between them. Sent troops to other parts of Africa, worked with Rwanda and Burundi to open dialogue for membership, and finally, it worked hard on last year's drought in East Africa.

With all the work done by IGAD, which is very small (both in wealth and population) compared to other regional orgs. such as ECOWAS-Economic Community of West African States, ECCAS(Economic Community of Central African States, SADC-Southern African Development Community and others, it needs the help of the African Union.

For one, Somalia is onecountry the African Union could have helpedand worked with IGAD. First, it ignored the historical conflicts between Somalia, Eritrea and Somalia. It ignored to provide supportto IGAD after the initial conflict between the Islamic Courts versus thetraitors-TFG-puppet governmentwhich was created by the occupiers Ethiopia, which later supported the TFG with US military help. African Unionwatched things unfold in their naked eyes, as they have been in Congo, Sudan, and in Central African Republic. Now, I know I havehad bitter debates about the AU with some posters here in the last few years, and some of you know that I have always dis-likedthe African Union's in-actions and the size of it, but I have never blamed it on ignoring issues even if it means just by talking about them. In Somalia, as is the case in Sudan the AU thinks or hold that they are alost couse, and they seem to not know what to do. As I have said, I supported the initial actions of Ethiopia and IGAD, now its the time to be replaced by wider UN troops which the AU must be running and advocating for. They should be run by the Ugandan forces (1,500) of them already in Somalia and have done great job so far. AU has the best chance in years to redeem its dignity and the organization's ideals, now is the time to act or never will they be taken as such.

Now, African Union has lost me, how many of U still think it can still work and do the job it has to do?

The AU has been a failure from the days it was the OAU. Talk about a toothless bulldog: relies heavily on western funding, cannot make any independant decisions, allowed Rwanda to happen, what exactly is it doing about the Dafurian situation? At the helm of the AU, are Arabised African nations. Do they have the interests of Africa at heart? I doubt it. Gaddafi is now playing nicely with the west, and has no interest therefore with African struggles. I mean what kind of organisation ignores Mugabe's consistant abuse of his people, has not intervened in Somalia, does notspeak for the average African struggling to make ends meet? When has anyone ever heard of the AU taking a stand when it comes to African issues? As long as they get paid, they do not give two pods of peas about the average working African. Talk about redundant!:PStupid organisation that should cease to exist, as it has not implemeted the aims set out in its core values.

Just my two pence.

The AU has been a failure from the days it was the OAU. Talk about a toothless bulldog: relies heavily on western funding, cannot make any independant decisions, allowed Rwanda to happen, what exactly is it doing about the Dafurian situation? At the helm of the AU, are Arabised African nations. Do they have the interests of Africa at heart? I doubt it. Gaddafi is now playing nicely with the west, and has no interest therefore with African struggles. I mean what kind of organisation ignores Mugabe's consistant abuse of his people, has not intervened in Somalia, does notspeak for the average African struggling to make ends meet? When has anyone ever heard of the AU taking a stand when it comes to African issues? As long as they get paid, they do not give two pods of peas about the average working African. Talk about redundant!:PStupid organisation that should cease to exist, as it has not implemeted the aims set out in its core values.

Just my two pence.



clp)Well said.

On Mugabe! Do you know that for a fact, or just taking what those who hate him (West)say, write? Just enlighten me on this if you have personal knowledge on his dealings, I have seen many Africans say this is not the case, he's nationalist - an African one for that, and many in the west do not like that, and are using the opposition groupsto create hell for him.

Involve masses in the fight for African unity by Dr. Tajudeen, Wednesday, 9th May, 2007



THERE are two important meetings that will fundamentally affect the lives of all Africans alive and those yet to be born. Both meetings are taking place in South Africa. One in Durban and the other in the affluent suburb of Midrand, near Pretoria. The former is a meeting of the executive council of the African Union, which consists of all the foreign affairs ministers of the member states. The latter is the 7th session of the Pan African Parliament (PAP). What is most significant about the two meetings is the agenda before them. The foreign ministers are meeting for final deliberations on the agenda for the forthcoming summit of heads of state and governments of the union in the first week of July in Accra, Ghana. The summit has a one-item agenda: The United States of Africa.

The foreign ministers’ meeting will be agreeing its final recommendations to their political bosses. In addition to other items on the agenda, the PAP is also having, its only chance to discuss and pronounce itself on the matter before the summit. But how many Africans know about these meetings? Of those who know, how many care? And among those who care, how many can influence the process? It is not too late to inform yourself and also to influence the process because whether we like it or not, their decision or non-decisions will impact on our lives and the future of our children.

There is no longer a debate about the desirability of full integration of Africa. The powerlessness of most of our states, our marginalisation in global trade, finance, the shame of our states competing for who is lowest at the bottom of most human development indexes have won the argument in favour of unity. However, as in the anti-colonial and immediate independence struggles leading to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) there are disagreements about how far and how fast on the road to unity. One would have thought that these debates were settled in the process leading to the restructuring of the OAU and its transformation into the African Union. But these divisions have continued to rear their heads and undermine the capacity of the states to fast track unity.

What are these positions? The first group is led by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has been the driving force behind the fast tracking of the United States of Africa project since 1999. This group wants the immediate union of the states with one government citizenship, common defence, a standing army, foreign minister and a president for Africa, etc.

The second group consists of states opposed to what they consider to be Libya’s haste and argue for gradual integration through consolidation of existing regional economic communities as the key building blocs of the union. Initially they did not have a clear leader, but carried out their anti-Libya maneuvers through bureaucrats, ambassadors, foreign ministers and the committee systems at which Libya’s proposals are watered down and bogged down in procedural politics. And since the Libyans are not known for paying attention to detail, they often lose out but take consolation in all kinds of phyrhic victories.

A third consists of those states who share many of the concerns of the cautious path of the second group but now say that the African Union is there and has enough in its Act to fast track unity, therefore, let us consolidate it before going further. This ‘AU is enough’ is now led effectively by South African president Thabo Mbeki and prime minister Meles Zenawi. Other important key players like Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria are basically either standing on the fence or trying to hold a dubious half-way house between Gaddafi’s enthusiasm and Mbeki’s cynicism. Other countries are hiding their indecision, ambiguities, hostilities or biases behind the protagonists. But this is an issue that cannot be fudged anymore.

The Pretoria meeting of foreign ministers is basically Mbeki’s fight back posing his vision directly in contrast to Gaddafi’s. Already even the ways in which the South Africans have tabled the matter have made this clear. Instead of the official United States of Africa, they are saying African Union Government. Personally, I think we should be more original than just copying USA. But rebranding as African Union also is neither here nor there.

What is it that we expect the government whether as a union or as united to do? In spite of the intrigues and maneuvers by the various camps they share a basic weakness: they are state led and are projecting this vision without the involvement of their own people. They do not even involve their own parliaments, let alone ordinary citizens. In many cases, it is even only the presidency that is involved with foreign affairs ministers playing guessing games. There is enough of agreements, protocols and statutory instruments to fast track the unity project, what has been lacking is the political will by the leaders to put their money where their mouth is and also fully involve the masses. Without both, the grand debate will only be another sham executive posturing, which drive our peoples into inertia and cynicism.

It is not too late to reverse this wagon less executive train threatening to run into each other from Tripoli to Pretoria. The business of unity is too important to be left to Mbeki and Gaddafi, even too important to be left to the 53 heads of state and government, the peoples of Africa must have full say in it. It is not a privilege to demand to be consulted but it is their democratic right. Otherwise, the leaders are engaged in yet another futile attempt to try and shave our heads behind our backs. In many countries, people are organising to have discussions on this matter on Africa Day this year: May 25. Join one or start one wherever you may be and demand of your president or foreign affairs minister to debate the options and which side of the debate they are on.



clp)clp)clp)

You shouldn't blame the AU for what is going on in the Horn. All they are capable of doing is providing some peace-keeping troops. But that would be pointless at this pointsince there is no peace to keep.

You shouldn't blame the AU for what is going on in the Horn. All they are capable of doing is providing some peace-keeping troops. But that would be pointless at this pointsince there is no peace to keep.



Askari Salaamzzz.

So, where are the troops? Only 1,500? Joke.

Man, think again, Somalis will never allow Ethios to walk around the country as TFG troops. They took a advantage of our 17 years ofproblems, and ICU were made to be flippin jokers. Nationalists are needed in the country right now.

When will the dream of the AU be realized?

1) Only when North African nationsare not members of the Union.

2)When the AU startsto promote the continent's political and economic integration.

3) When the AU can and is able to hold allAfrican leaders accountable to their actions.

4) When South Africa, number oneweapon supplierin Africa is shown the door, and does not have influence on the union.

3) When all the leaders who came to power or where educated by the colonial powers after the end of colonial era are dead.

5)When Nigeria takes it's place in Africa, as the most critical nation.

6) ...........and..

Quote:ICU were made to be flippin jokers. Nationalists are needed in the country right now.





YOU MEAN NATIONALISTS LIKE THIS OR:



Like this?



Like this

East....The current government is a national disgrace, nothing short.



Aabihii wadanka.....Legend

May his soul rest in peace.