Neo-colonialism predominates, but the challenge of African unity lives on, writes Gamal Nkrumah They cut the ground from under his feet, and he declined to attend the summit in protest, much to the consternation of his Ghanaian hosts. African leaders thwarted the plan of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to create a United States of Africa. The fiat put a gravely wounded, albeit noble, plan out of its misery. For reasons I could not begin to fathom, the African leaders declined to debate the most pressing challenges facing the continent -- abject poverty, HIV/AIDS, and underdevelopment. Instead, they insisted on contesting the meaningfulness of African unity. They slammed the idea, preferring the delaying tactics of yesteryear. My first feeling was bitter disappointment. And then I wondered why I should be surprised. In actual fact, the continent labours under the legacy of neo- colonialism less than the official pussyfooting. One wonders what exactly is the point of such expensive talking shops. The striking feature about this year's AU summit is how much constancy there is at the top and how much Pandemonium there is below. African leaders meeting in Accra reiterated the old assertion that the time is not ripe for a United States of Africa. This was the same excuse given to Kwame Nkrumah more than four decades ago when he first proposed continental unity. The old taunt reflects a deep commitment to the political disunity of Africa by the continent's leaders. The notion of continental African unity was bruited in Accra 2007 as it has been done in the days of the most vociferous proponent of African unity, Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah. Indeed, it is somewhat prophetic that on the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, the very idea of African unity would be so trumpeted. But there is nothing behind these mouthings. It is almost impossible to prove that superpower manipulation is taking place. This may be more than a hypothetical scenario. But if history is any guide, the notion of African unity will be downplayed at any summit in the foreseeable future. The silver lining is that the very notion of African unity remains an unmitigated dream for the people. So the outcome of the Accra summit does the issue of African unity little lasting damage. The very notion of African continental unity has enormous public appeal in Africa and across the pan-African Diaspora. It has become abundantly evident that the concept of African unity has survived the test of time. African leaders might shy away from its significance, but the African masses instinctively warm to the idea. And while economic union is encouraged at some theoretical level, political unity is out of the question as far as African leaders are concerned since it impinges on the sovereignty of African nation states. There was an almighty row in Accra. Gaddafi was furious that African "opt outs" eroded his dream of a United States of Africa. He set up his tent in the Ghanaian capital and refused to participate in the official deliberations of the AU summit. He claims today to be the main champion of African unity. As it happens, he had previously upheld Arab unity as the ideal, the panacea to all the economic and socio- political woes of the Arab world. Today, he strongly believes that the future of Arab prosperity lies in the political unification and economic integration of the African continent. Historians may reflect that Africa's bitter and epic debate about African unity mirrors the chaotic nature of African politics, the scramble for democracy and economic reform amid the neocolonial backdrop. Meanwhile, tycoons buy votes in suspect elections and foreign powers dictate the pace of political liberalisation and economic deregulation. Sadly, African leaders have clearly chosen to blindly obey the deus ex machina of Western imperialism. And at what cost to itself? Nobody can fathom the real cost, but in many people's estimation it is dear. "My vision is to wake up the African leaders to unify our continent," Chairman of the AU Alpha Omar Konare told reporters in Accra. He urged African leaders to "take the bull by the horns and move towards a new country -- Africa". His plea fell on deaf ears. As news of the Libyan leader's plan for a United States of Africa filtered down to a packed audience, it quickly became clear that the majority objected to his plans. But nonetheless, in an unprecedented development nearly every African leader of the 53 member-state AU turned up in the Ghanaian capital. The political will to unify the continent might still be lacking, but the determination to make the continent work was all too apparent in Accra. In that most clichéd of African capitals, Accra -- replete with historical symbolism -- the future of the continent was hotly debated. The choice of venue for this year's AU summit was specifically designed to pay tribute to Ghana's shining example as one of the most vibrant democracies in all Africa. Enjoying a buoyant economy, Ghana is among a number of countries in the continent that are experiencing phenomenal economic growth rates. Such a bonanza might have overwhelmed a less consequential city. In spite of the widespread and crippling poverty, many African economies are booming. A country like Angola is experiencing growth rates of 35 per cent, the highest in the whole world. All that glitters is not gold, however. Africa faces critical challenges and the debate over African unity must not ignore the economic quandary the vast majority of Africans find themselves in -- the joblessness of the youth and the health and education crises. One can perhaps understand the lassitude of African leaders, burdened by so many problems. Halfway through his opening speech Ghanaian President John Kufuor paid special tribute to Nkrumah, the first and foremost proponent of African Unity. Looking relieved and despite the two-day cliffhanger, he stressed that no African leader disputed the vital necessity of closer political and economic collaboration. Heavyweights such as Nigeria and South Africa have been the major brake on plans to create a United States of Africa. However, the AU Accra summit proved to be a golden opportunity for striking bilateral economic and trade deals. President Hosni Mubarak made a rare appearance at an African summit. He flew out to Accra because he recognised the significance of this year's AU summit meeting. Accompanying President Mubarak were the Minister of Information Anas El-Fiqi, Minister of Housing Ahmed El-Maghrabi, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza, National Security and General Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, and Presidential Chief of Staff Zakaria Azmi. Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit flew to Ghana earlier to participate in the AU foreign ministers preparatory meeting. This was an unprecedented high-powered, large and diversified Egyptian delegation to an AU summit. These are, indeed, interesting times. For me personally, the touching gesture by Abul- Gheit of placing a floral bouquet at the grave of my recently deceased mother in my father's mausoleum in Accra symbolised the enduring significance of African continental unity. It recaptured, in a fleeting glimpse, the energy of the heady days of yesteryear.
