This issue of the Bulletin captures a moment of reflection about the destiny of the African Continent and the role and contribution of an individual Statesman. It was an occasion at which the African vision was reaffirmed, tributes were accorded, reflections espoused, and milestones recognized. This was an evening*  to honour and pay homage to the outstanding contribution made by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), who was completing an unprecedented three term of Office at the helm of the Organization.

At the occasion, Dr. Salim delivered a keynote address on “The Challenges Facing Africa in the Coming Decades”  and tributes by various individuals and Organizations in Africa and abroad  were conveyed.

While the ambience of the evening was celebratory, suffused with sentiments of appreciation and compliments, there was also a consistent message being conveyed, by both Dr. Salim and the various well wishers. It was a message that reiterated the fact that the realization of the cherished ideal of the African people cannot be attained without surmounting  formidable challenges confronting the continent. These challenges, not only impede the momentum towards the desired objective of of reflection about the destiny of the African Continent and the role and contribution of an individual Statesman. It was an occasion at which the African vision was reaffirmed, tributes were accorded, reflections espoused, and milestones recognized. This was an evening*  to honour and pay homage to the outstanding contribution made by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), who was completing an unprecedented three term of Office at the helm of the Organization.

At the occasion, Dr. Salim delivered a keynote address on “The Challenges Facing Africa in the Coming Decades”  and tributes by various individuals and Organizations in Africa and abroad  were conveyed.

While the ambience of the evening was celebratory, suffused with sentiments of appreciation and compliments, there was also a consistent message being conveyed, by both Dr. Salim and the various well wishers. It was a message that reiterated the fact that the realization of the cherished ideal of the African people cannot be attained without surmounting  formidable challenges confronting the continent. These challenges, not only impede the momentum towards the desired objective of attaining closer unity and solidarity, but they also disorient and even undermine the capacity of the people of Af rica to pursue their goals and objectives.

It is important that further reflection be undertaken on the convergence and complementary linkage between the strategies designed to overcome the challenges facing the continent and the dynamics of sustaining the momentum towards Continental unity and solidarity. Indeed, the manner in which the people of Africa and their Governments are able to take their destiny into their own hands, and to deal with the scourge of conflicts and undemocratic governance, the HIV-pandemic, the paradoxical anomaly of pervasive poverty, the threat of marginalization, the alienation of the civil society, and the distortions of balkanization, will have an important bearing on achieving the unity of this continent.

It is more than four decades since the majority of African countries gained political independence. How viable are the structures that have been put in place for overcoming some of these adversities? Is it possible, at this advent of the new century and new millennium, to point to evolving structures at national and Continental levels, which signify a trend towards the acquisition by African people of the actual power to determine their destiny? The everyday life of individuals and communities in our Continent, and the actual preoccupations of Governments on the ground tend to point towards a different trajectory.  Despite the laudable proclamations, the actual engagements of governments seem to be overwhelmingly dictated by external factors. In some cases, as illustrated by unconsolidated positions taken in  global negotiations, even when an opportunity arises to present a collective position,  it seems to elude our representatives.

With regard to conflicts, more than half a decade has elapsed since OAU launched its Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. Right at this moment, there are a number of violent conflicts raging in the continent, apart from those that are about to reach an explosive state. How effective has the Mechanism been in actually preventing and managing such conflicts? While acknowledging the ardent efforts being deployed in containing conflict situations, such as in the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, in Sierra Leone, in the Mano River, and the emerging prospects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, should we remain satisfied with the present OAU reactive approach to promoting peace, security and stability in the continent?

How about the preventive component of the peace maintenance? Has the OAU early warning system failed to take off? And should the OAU quest to promote democracy and good governance be limited to resolutions which  only condemn unconstitutional changes of government and to election monitoring? Indeed, all these questions that are calling for answers merely suggest that the Union should avoid the weakness of OAU and adopt a different approach in order to bring about significant positive changes.

The HIV-AIDS pandemic has been wrecking havoc in the Continent for more than two decades now. Millions of our people have lost their lives and many more millions will face that sad predicament. In the last couple of years there have been an increase in awareness and commitment to combating the deadly disease. How is the commitment translated into concrete action? What kinds of programmes are put in place? How is this demonstrated in budgetary expenditures? Sadly, the Abuja Summit could not come up with an Action Plan. It could merely compromise on a Framework of Action! One wonders, six months after, as to what is the fate of this framework.

Combating poverty is back into the currency of the development lexicon. After the trials and tribulations that the African people have endured, in the name of poverty alleviation and eradication, what is there in their every day lives that should give them hope and optimism for a better tomorrow? Indeed, it has been a long road, from basic needs, to growth and redistribution, through the various recoveries and adjustments, to the current market driven development. As yet, there is no coherent strategy for poverty alleviation. Like in the 1960s, the expectation of increasing foreign investments is proving to be an illusion. At the same time, the continent’s share in international trade is almost the same as it was 50 years ago!

Hopes are pinned on fostering integration. There is indeed a strong determination in this direction. The historic record of signing and ratifying the Constitutive Act of the African Union seems to indicate the commitment towards this endeavor. The ultimate challenge is how to render meaning to this determination by ensuring that the process of integration addresses the concerns and preoccupation of an average African who is threatened by conflict, ravaged by poverty, and devastated by HIV-AIDS among many other tribulations. It is towards overcoming these vices and an earnest and concerted effort in linking this endeavor with the quest for attaining African Unity, that we should devote our reflections. Hopefully, this issue of the bulletin may trigger out thoughts in that direction.

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