Pan-Africanism: Uganda vs Zimbabwe

[RWalker]

You should study these stories carefully as it gives us a clear view of he contending views on African Unity/Pan-Africanism at home. We should use the lessons of this inform both our respective individual and organizational efforts to build African unity and greater cohesion within the general human family ...clearly there are very real negatives as well as positives when you work with traditional leadership. However if a continental group of traditional leaders come down on the side of continental government, as these forces have, it deserves not only our careful scrutiny but also our vigilant support and assistance. Not to mention the fact that the AU has clearly mandated everyone to involve the people of Africa in the process however possible and has also specifically called for the mobilization of social forces in the African world to build continental unity.

Given all this, you can readily see why these diametrically opposed view, Zimbabwe on the positive side and Museveni's movement-controlled Uganda on the other is important to understand, I would advise all to study the dynamics of the situation very carefully. It is precisely things like this that will determine our collective future:

THE ZIMBABWE POSITION:

Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Country Backs African Traditional Leaders' Forum
Mabasa Sasa
28 August 2008
Tripoli - The delegation of Zimbabwean chiefs in Libya for the 39th commemoration of the 1st September Revolution threw their weight behind the creation of a proposed Forum of African Traditional Kings, Sultans, Princes and Sheiks.
The eight-member delegation yesterday said it would support the formation of such a union and push for full discussions on the matter at the next African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia next year.
Traditional leaders from all over the continent are expected to sign the final agreement after the commemorations in Benghazi City tomorrow.
The head of the delegation, Chief David Malaba said:
"After intense deliberations the chiefs decided that the formation of such a Forum would be in the best interests of Africa."
Should the traditional leaders formally adopt the idea, a chairman, a secretary-general and an assistant secretary-general of the Forum will immediately be elected.
A secretariat, based in the Libyan City of Sirte -- where the annual Summit will be held, will also be set up.
"Forming and establishing the Forum of Traditional Kings, Sultans, Princes, Mayors and Sheik's in Africa as a social framework will effectively contribute to the procession of our African continent to build its unity and to realise its security, stability and the desires for development of its people.
"We further undertake . . . serious and continuous action so that the unity of the continent will be achieved and we commit ourselves to work with our tribes and social institutions to push governments forward for the sake of building the African Union and completing the establishment of its organs.
"We are alert to the danger of delaying the fulfillment of this dream of the African people.
"The sons of the African continent belong to a homogeneous and over-lapping social texture composed of the family and the tribe as basic units in the building of the African community," part of the proposed Charter reads.
The Charter also calls on traditional leaders to press for structures to be put in place for the free movement of Africans across the continent as a "natural right" and that "our African identity" superseded any other bureaucratic considerations.
At the Benghazi meeting, which was supposed to start yesterday but will now commence today, traditional leaders are expected to discuss the issue of the formation of an African Union Government.
Related major discussions will center on the possibility of Africa having a single Foreign Affairs Minister, one person in charge of a continental Defense Ministry and another heading a Foreign Trade portfolio.
The leaders are also expected to deliberate on the establishment of a United African Central Bank and the issuance of a single African currency and a unified continent-wide passport.
Indications yesterday were that the traditional leaders, who have been joined by their counterparts from the Middle East, are likely t o issue a statement calling for the cessation of all hostilities and conflicts on the continent and for Africa's politicians to actively promote peace.
Earlier, Zimbabwe's chiefs met with senior officials from the country's Embassy in Tripoli.
CDE Teddy Chadenga, the Charge d'Affairs, met the chiefs with Second Secretary Cde Ernest Muungani and the Head of Chancery Cde Enoscent Chiutsi.

Cde Chadenga said the Ambassador, Cde George Vengesa, was not able to meet the chiefs because he was tied up with official business in Tunisia.
"We had been informed that our fathers were coming to Libya for the 1st September Revolution commemorations and I must say we are really pleased to have you here.
"It is always good to see people from home here and even more pleasing when they are people as important as our chiefs.
That is why we decided we could not let you leave before we see you. Unfortunately, Ambassador Vengesa is in Tunisia on official business but he has promised to see you before you return to Zimbabwe.
"This is your Embassy and we are at your service so please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if there is anything you need," Cde Chadenga said.
He also took time to explain the significance of Libya's September Revolution as well as Harare and Tripoli's long-standing and mutual beneficial relationship
allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: Country Backs African Traditional Leaders' Forum (Page 1 of 1)

THE UGANDA POSITION

Uganda halts Gaddafi's meeting with traditional leaders
afrol News, 13 January - The Ugandan government has stopped a meeting of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and traditional leaders in the capital Kampala, saying the meeting was contradictory to the nation's constitution which bans traditional leaders from politics.
About 200 kings, princes, sultans, sheikhs and traditional leaders were expected to attend the forum in Kampala.

According a communiqué issued by the ministry of Foreign affairs and signed by the permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, the meeting which was expected to discuss African integration and the creation of the African Union government, is beyond the jurisdiction of traditional leaders.

"Inviting kings and chiefs who are not recognised in their respective countries to come and discuss political issues may raise controversies and undermine stability in the great lakes region," Mr Mugume said in a statement.

The forum initiated by Mr Gaddafi last year saw the leader promoting his vision of African unity for several years but Africa's political leaders have been very skeptical about his vision of a single government.

In August 2008, over 200 African kings and traditional leaders met in Libya and bestowed the title "King of Kings" to Mr Gadaffi during ceremonies in Benghazi. Ugandan traditional leaders were part of the forum, whose objective was to solve problems where political leaders have failed.

King Tchiff Zie Jean Gervais of Ivory Coast, who was due to attend the cancelled meeting, called on traditional leaders not to engage in divisive politics. "Kings, sultans, princes and sheikhs of Africa do not need to do politics because they are fathers to everybody. If our children are divided by politics, it is our role to bring them together into one fold," he told local newspaper.

He warned that the struggle for power be tween traditional and political leaders could easily degenerate into war.

Traditional institutions were banned in 1966 in Uganda, but the government brought them back in 1993 in a move to foster peace and development.
afrol News - Uganda halts Gaddafi's meeting with traditional leaders