I read today that their is cursory talk among members of the African Union about a single, US style govt. For those of you who don't know the African Union, similar to it Asian and European counterparts, is a formal agreement between African countries to act in concert on a host of issues such as currency, security and development.I always thought that Africa with it's massive population, agrarianism and abundance of natural resources could easily be a superpower if united. I also realize that the European colonist during the Scramble for Africa in the 1800's realized this too. That's why they purposely segmented Africa, encouraged tribalism and stoked civil wars upon their departure. By doing this they ensured Africans would engage in centuries of fighting over crumbs instead of simply baking their own dough. This mindest still persist.
Gaddafi, the president of Libya, is spearheading this effort, but I'm not quite sure what to think of this guy. As recently as 2 years ago he, the other Northern African nations and Turkey were begging the EU for membership based on the history of colonization. Their argument was as best I can tell 'that Europe owed them for the centuries of pillaging and angst.' That's a clownish, victim mindset...I think. Similar to Alaska or Texas, if France or Britain or Portugal wanted you as part of their nation they would have claimed you as citizens and not colonies at the turn of the last century. They didn't. And they haven't called you in 100 years. So it's pretty safe to assume they're not that into you. Move on.
I'm not sure Gaddafi is the guy for the job though. It's massive and the western politics may be more difficult than the intra-continental politics to overcome which would be a bear. I'm also not sure it happens without some kind of continental threat that forces the nations cooperation, from which grows the United States of Africa.
