From O.A.U to A.U: The Politics, Problems and Prospects of a Continental Union

The African continent presents a peculiar picture in world political cum economic discourse. From been largely seen as underdeveloped and politically unstable, there is a perceived consideration of the continent as the ‘sick child’ of the world by the West. Consequently, there is inadvertent intervention in African political affairs by the West. The colonial experience that left Africa vulnerably exposed to exploitation at both the political and economic sphere in world affairs in the past, outlived the decade of independence. Manifest colonial interference in African political affairs in the post-independence era, manifests in lopsided engagement of the continent in global political affairs. The Organization of African Unity created to champion the political course of colonial Africa achieved little as criticism and leadership squabbles among African leaders led to its collapse and transformation into African Union in 2002. This paper considered the high-wire politics preceded its formation and eventual transformation as well as how Africa can achieve a formidable political platform to engage the West and by extension, create a political future for itself. KEY WORDS: Political Integration; Pan-Africanism; Leadership Squabbles; Regionalism, African Union, Global Africa, Africans in Diaspora, paradigm shift