We have evolved from the dark continent. Our growth rates have become global reference statements. Our economies are becoming bigger and larger. Our youthful demography is an envy of our sister continents. Elections have become frequent and evolving into a norm our people are used to. We have suddenly become the new bride. In short, we are at a point that we can say confidently that the second scramble for Africa is here.

This beautiful narrative however comes with new forms of challenges. As much as we have made significant economic progress, the challenge of lifting a significant number of our people out of poverty remains a concern. Our demography which is meant to be a resource is on the verge of becoming a threat. Our business interaction with the rest of world is increasing at faster rates while intra-Africa trade remains a paltry percentage of that. Even with the wave of democracy taking root in the country, the institutionalisation of democratic norms and practices is still very much a challenge. Today, new forms of popular struggles are emerging with the popular uprisings in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya as case points.

These new forms of challenge require new ways of thinking. It is important to rethink our strategy in a way that we are able to understand the dynamics and be able to respond accordingly. In short, we need to have an interpretative understanding of our peculiar concerns and develop a response properly nuanced in the socio-economic and political dynamics of our environment. It is only in finding Africa-tuned solutions to our African based challenges that we can begin to approach the next fifty years confidently, strategically and pragmatically.

Let me also at this juncture address the misconception about the Africa 2063 Agenda of the African Union. A lot of commentaries have argued that we should be more realistic and plan for the next ten years instead of looking at 50 years when biologically, a lot of us are not likely to be here. I think this is a simplistic and rather selfish way of dismissing this agenda as irrelevant. Let me state categorically that it is important for us to begin to think strategically. We must begin to think far ahead. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past. It is only when we can envision a future that we can begin to put structures in place to get to achieve it.

Taking each day as it comes will make us susceptible to all forms of influences. I strongly believe this Agenda 2063 is our own masterplan with which we will march into the African Centenary with pride and our shoulders held up high. This can only happen if we all support it and contribute to its development with all that we have intellectually and physically. This is a people driven agenda and it is driving force for convening this dialogue.

At the Political Affairs Department, our focus is on ensuring that the Africa Governance Architecture and Platform becomes fully operational so as to assist us in driving the shared values agenda of the Union beyond just ratifications but to actual implementation. We have made remarkable progress in norms and standards setting over the last half a century, it is however important that going into the next 50 years, we ensure that institutional frameworks that have been established to guide and facilitate the implementation of these norms work and fire at full throttle.

We must emphasize on the imperatives of deepening democratic practices and institutionalising good governance practices to ensure the growth and development of our continent. An attempt to understand Africa’s agenda 2063 cannot be made without an appreciation of the imperatives of strengthening good governance, consolidating democracy, adherence to the rule of law, constitutionalism, and the respect for human and peoples’ rights.

There is a symbiotic relationship between good governance on one hand and human development and peace and security all of which are equally desirable and prerequisites for continental integration. Democratic governance is a guarantor for sustainable human development, peace and security and political stability in Africa, and the absence of any of these stalls continental integration, unity and prosperity.

By H.E Dr.Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.)
Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union.