The United States of America is an interesting case study on nation-building.

The country began as a collection of separately governed colonies. However, the colonies ultimately decided to adopt a representative system with Senators and House Representatives representing the interests of their respective regions, within a central federal government. Simultaneously, each region or State—as they are called in the USA—also has enough power to dictate its local affairs under the guidance of State legislatures and Governors.

The African continent could decide to adopt a similar model. Instead of having presidents in each micro-country inherited from colonialism, we could also have state governors and state legislatures, that would share powers with an elected central federal government.

As with any human creation, the U.S. system is not perfect by any means. The initial U.S. Constitution allowed unjust practices like slavery. It also left out women and many other groups from actively participating in the political process. That led to many struggles like the Civil War, the women’s suffrage movement, the Civil Rights movement, etc.

However, the U.S. Constitution has a built-in principle and a system of representative democracy that led to gradual amendments and improvements over the years, in an attempt to achieve certain ideals. Gradually, the USA is working to become more just and more inclusive, even if, we can all agree, it is still a work in progress.

I know that some of us say that tribalism is too entrenched in Africa and continental unity is impossible. Some of us believe that it is pointless to engage in this fight. Some of us say that Africa has endured too many wars and will undergo many more. Some of us believe that Africa can never unite under a federal nation, a United States of Africa.

Well, like Madiba Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Let’s get to work!

AfriKili, African intelligence to build a new Africa!