Open the borders, let Africans challenge HIV/Aids together!

Wasai J. Nanjakululu is a Kenyan based in Nairobi, working on HIV/Aids policy at the Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development (ACORD). In March, Saloman Kebede interviewed him on the forthcoming debate on continental government during the next African Union summit, June–July 2007.

This interview is one of several interviews with African citizens and CSO leaders on the AU proposal for continental government. Ivy Maina, consulting with the pan-Africa programme at Oxfam, edited the interview.

Saloman Kebede: What form of continental government does Africa need?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: We recognise that we were given artificial states through colonialism. Breaking these states overnight is a daunting task. We should instead build these states to become federal states of Africa in order to end up with a federal government of Africa. This kind of government should then identify historical links that countries share and create regional states like the East African Federation. This may help in dealing with internal conflicts.

Saloman Kebede: Why is continental union important to African citizens, especially the poor and the marginalised?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: If the continental union’s importance is based purely on political recognition, then what good shall come out of it? It must guarantee freedom of movement and free markets that work for Africa. This will also provide an enabling environment to mount a continent-wide HIV/Aids response. By making Africa one huge market we could jointly procure anti-retrovirals and establish pharmaceutical factories on the continent. This would ease the prices of these essential life saving drugs.

Saloman Kebede: What strategic areas of focus do you propose for the integration to be successful?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: One, we need to break open state borders. Two, let the citizens be well informed and involved in policy making at country level, in order to allow people to engage democratically in governance, wealth creation and distribution. Then, when we propose the issue of African unity then the masses will not see the leaders as having hidden motives. Three, we have to come up with a good economic policy for African unity. Finally, let us be on the look-out for reactionary processes at country level and be prepared to deal with them.

Saloman Kebede: What obstacles must the AU overcome for the continental union to be successful?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: I believe that you only see obstacles when you take your eyes off the goals. We also need to come to a place where we can allow others to lead but not allow the stronger countries to dictate to other states. The AU must embrace a culture of empowering its people and preserve the historical links that unite us.

Saloman Kebede: What one policy would your organisation propose to be adopted in continental integration?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: All governments seem to recognise the role of the civil society in development. I would like all pan-African organisations to be registered within the AU and given a legal mandate to operate in all African countries. We need to avoid instances as those in Eritrea where ACORD was kicked out, or where some CSOs are being proscribed from Zimbabwe. Then we shall be able to engage across the continent and create overwhelming support and ownership for continental union government from the masses.

Saloman Kebede: What milestones would you like to see achieved within the first phase - the first two years?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: I work with a pan-African organisation that works to build and strengthen African social movement. We are present in 18 countries in Africa. By opening up borders, we will cut costs on visa and interconnection of flights. Open the borders, let people, goods and services move. I am sure that can be done at a click of a finger from our heads of states.

Saloman Kebede: What meaningful decisions should the head of states make so that this process is people driven, rights based and publicly accountable to African citizens?

Wasai J. Nanjakululu: They should open up the debate in the media to popularise the proposal and involve the civil society and national parliaments.

The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee. Jacob Wasai Nanjakululu can be reached at email: [email][email protected]