Feature

Africa Unite: The way forward

Bruck Shewareged

This week marked the official launch of the celebration of the 60th birthday of the legendary reggae star Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley. In recognition of his lifelong struggle to see a strong, united and liberated Africa, the theme of the month long festivities come under the name “Africa Unite”. The event that includes many symposiums and meetings will also exhibit a music concert at the Meskel Square today beginning noon. Thousands are expected to attend this event. The concert is expected to be the peak of all events through out February.

Addis Ababa, which many consider as the capital city of not only Ethiopia but also the diplomatic capital of Africa, has, according to its mayor, Arkebe Eqoubay, been preparing itself to its best ability to host this great event. It seems fitting that Addis Ababa, the seat of the African Union (AU), is chosen to host the celebration that is aiming to send home the message of African unity.

Mayor Arkebe has described the city as a shining beacon of African freedom. Given the fact that the AU has its headquarters in Africa, it may not come as a surprise for the city to have African symbols and land marks with an African touch. In 2004, streets were renamed after 52 AU states, and a square dedicated to Africans in the Diaspora. Apart from this, according to mayor Arkebe, the city held a tree planting ceremony on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, “an  eloquent voice of the civil rights movement in the Diaspora.” And, this week, Bob Marley’s wife Rita Marley was granted the Honorary citizenship of Addis Ababa by the mayor for her contributions in building the positive image of Ethiopia.

Though hardly a new one, the “Africa Unite” theme comes forward again at a crucial time. The current trend of globalization, which is rather marginalizing Africa, gives the question of continental unity a new and meaningful face. As many politicians, analysts and advocates of the cause stress, unless Africans stand united and firm, they will be powerless in the global economic competitions.

In a weak and divided state, African countries’ choice is likely to be denied the fruits of the economic benefits, which others stand to gain as a result of close cooperation. A look at the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA), the Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), etc, is enough of an indicator that the people living in the above mentioned parts of the world are enjoying economic benefits due to their respective countries’ decision to come together instead of staying apart. In the words of Bob Marley, ‘Africa has to unite for the benefit of its people.”

What does the picture look like when we come to Africa? Although African countries came a long way in laying the path to unification, they are far from attaining a meaningful benefit from it. Several parts of the continent suffer from civil wars or regional conflicts, disease, starvation and corruption. However, in an optimistic note, the “Africa Unite” Symposium, held from February 2-4 here in Addis, attempted to point out that the way out of this problem still lies in the various African initiatives such as NEPAD [New Partnership for Africa’s Development]. These initiatives aim at pulling the resources of Africans together and put them to use efficiently.

Bob Marley’s song, “Africa Unite” was mentioned as a testimony that African unity would not be coming only through governments’ initiatives and efforts but it takes other stakeholders, too, like artists, civic organizations, individuals, etc, to bring about the needed unification and the anticipated benefits.

Professor Kinfe Abraha of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) agrees with this notion. He says that all stakeholders must be involved and calls for ‘the empowerment of the population and Civil Society Organizations (CSO); and the active participation of the private sector if the continent is to move forward.”

It is in this context that the ongoing 60th birthday celebration of Bob Marley has a positive significance. The leadership of African countries could draw lessons that bringing Africa together involves every sector of the society. For those who doubt this, a brief look at how Bob Marley used his influence and fame to bring conflicting parties together in peace in his own country, Jamaica, can be a good example.

In 1978, the political situation in Jamaica was tense and the two main parties (the Jamaican Labour Party and the Peoples National Party) were trying to end their conflict. The leaders of the two parties, to mark a truce between them, approached Marley, who is loved by everybody in Jamaica, and asked him to perform a concert. The concert was entitled “One Love” symbolizing the peace and brotherly love, which should prevail among citizens of a country.

Marley left his positive legacy in persuading the then Prime Minister Michael Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga to appear on stage in person and shake hands. That was an “incredible” gesture at the time- a grand gesture of one love. Thus Marley put to use his fame and influence to prevent misunderstanding and conflict and bring about peace and unity.