of Africa?
Intersesting article about Gaddafi's idea to unify the continent, much like the United States and the EU.
It sounds like a good idea...
Gaddafi: Africa should unite or die
Libya's president, Muammar Gaddafi, has told Africa it must "unite or die" and should become a united states with a single government, along the lines of the USA.
Speaking on the eve of the African Union Summit in the Ghanaian capital Accra, the Libyan leader said the continent should unite so it could compete in a globalised world.
President Gaddafi outlined his plans in a speech at the University of Ghana, but while it was met with applause and cheers, the views of his fellow African leaders range from enthusiasm to outright rejection.
"My mission is to wake up the African leaders to unify our continent," he said.
Accra is the final stage of President Gaddafi's week-long tour of western Africa, which has also included Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast.
At each stop he has held rallies calling for the establishment of United States of Africa and a single government.
"How can an African country face a Europe that is united, negotiate with the USA, Japan or China," he asked, saying that with a single government, Africa would be on an equal footing with them.
"If the African masses are enlightened and aware ... then Africa will come into being," he said. "Those at the summit should hear the voice of the masses."
He also believes the move would staunch the flow of migrants to Europe, by exploiting its own resources and creating jobs in Africa.
Long history
Although the African Union was only formed in 2001, the idea was first suggested more than 50 years ago.
African leaders including the late Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah and the first president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere were both advocates of a single government.
"For Africa, the matter is to be or not to be."
Muammar Gaddafi, president of Libya
The idea is said to have first been mooted at the fifth pan-African Congress held in England in 1945, and led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
The Libyan president's enthusiasm for a single federal government fits with the possible future development of the African Union (AU).
The body was formed from the amalgamation of the African Economic Community (AEC) and the OAU.
Its remit is to promote unity and solidarity, democracy, economic development and international co-operation, especially by trying to end conflict within the continent.
Longer term, the AU plans include a single currency and integrated defense force, as well as the proposals for a single cabinet and head of state.
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