“We don’t have any political structures [in Africa], our structures are social… our parties are tribal parties – that is what has led to bloodshed,” states the new African Union (AU) chairman, Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi during the just concluded AU summit in Ethiopia where he envisages a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans under his proposed United States of Africa concept.

Gaddafi wants a United States of Africa and used his AU inaugural address “to push his long-cherished unity project and called for integration to begin immediately.”

“It is a government of the union. It is an authority, a government. There will be secretaries … coordinators for various policies, like defense and foreign affairs and defense policies and foreign policies that are divergent and we will coordinate everything and our defense policies for Africa.” — Gaddafi, AU Summit 2009, Ethiopia.

The Libyan leader’s “United States of Africa proposal” did lead to some confusion at the summit, which had to be extended for two days, according to VOA report. It is clear Gaddafi is determined to push toward creation of a United States of Africa during his year as AU chairman, despite opposition from the continent’s most influential powers. Watch France24 video footage of the summit »

The United State of Africa idea has been simmering on Gaddafi’s plates for a while — but it’s not really a new concept. Back in 2007, the topic was addressed here on AfricanLoft. And the conclusion drawn by the author then has not change: It’s not likely to happen, not any time soon.

Related posts:

1. Hail King Gaddafi of Africa!
2. African Leaders Meet in Libya
3. United States of Africa – a Wishful Thinking?
4. Africa Must Focus on Infrastructure
5. Ghana: Obama Visit Should Highlight Rights
6. Halliburton Scandal: Advocates Challenge Nigeria at the United Nations
7. The Unbearable Lightness of Being an African Union Citizen