I know some of us say that tribalism is too entrenched in Africa and continental unity is impossible. Some of us believe 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 us not forget that our current borders were created out of thin air about 140 years ago. They were the result of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, also known as the Congo Conference or the West Africa Conference. To enforce the artificially created borders, colonial powers created national control systems. The people who decided to work collectively and create these African nations were not super humans. They were human being just like us.

In the same way, we are capable of building new African political systems. If we are truly determined, we can assemble our entire continent into a much stronger unit. It’s a matter of making collective informed decisions.

I am delighted to notice that many Africans on the continent and in the diaspora have already embraced African unity. However, I also understand that some people are still skeptical or find it difficult to embrace the African unity agenda. That being said, I believe that many people could overcome their reticence if they are presented with the right information, and if they are provided with opportunities to interact with people from many other African nations.

To those who still say that Africa is too big to form a federal state, I say you are not recognizing what other nations have done around us, and you are underestimating the ability of intelligent, hard-working visionaries hailing from the wonderful continent. But also, there are no definite rules as to how small or big a country should be. Countries can be as small or as big as they want. They could be as small as the Vatican and Swaziland, or as big as a China, Russia, Brazil or the United States of America.

Currently, there are very small elites that are benefiting enormously from the African status quo. For obvious reasons, they will hope that we do not instigate a revolution to disrupt the status quo. We cannot let them take away our power to shape a new destiny, our common African destiny.

I will repeat it again, it is a matter of deciding collectively!!!

The generations before ours had to fight for independence and political freedom. Our generation must pick up the mantle and decide to finally unify Africa! We need to make sure that Africa’s vast resources are managed responsibly to benefit all Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.

If you have not travelled across Africa or kept up with Pan-African news coverage, you might think that your African country of origin is much better than others on the continent.

Well, that is not necessarily true.

We need a Pan African awakening if we want to guarantee the wellbeing of all Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.

Let’s get to work!

AfriKili, African intelligence to build a new Africa!