Can the African Union stop wars?
This is a key consideration. United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan says that unless conflicts end, “no amount of aid or trade will make the difference”. A political union – also a long term objective – would ideally prevent one country from destabilising its neighbours. At present, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone all accuse each other of backing rebel movements which have turned their common border into what has been described as the world’s most dangerous place. The European Union was established after World War II and has achieved its primary goal of preventing another continent-wide war. Now Africa’s leader hope to follow the EU’s path to peace, unity and prosperity.
