Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the regional economic and political challenges behind the formation of a United States of Africa. It argues that both former presidents Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and the Late Muamar Gaddaffi had a vision and strategy towards the realisation of a United States of Africa.

Paper long abstract:

Pan-Africanism has played a leading role in raising the consciousness of African nationalists on the necessary and inevitable independence of Africa and the need for its economic and political unity (Demba, 1998:11). However, after having successfully withstood the test of time, Pan-Africanism has to adapt to new circumstances. The international environment that gave rise to Pan-Africanist consciousness has dramatically changed. From the spirit of Pan-Africanism, Africans and African governments have been in the forefront to come up with a United Africa where the dignity of its people would be upheld. The quest for this kind of Africa was initiated with the formation of the Organisation of African Union (OAU).This was later on followed by the African Union. A number of Africa leaders in the 21st century such as Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and the late Muammar Gaddaffi took it upon themselves amid both economic and political challenges as well pressure from the New World Order and geopolitics to come up with a United States of Africa. The two African leaders are now out of the political scene. The paper seeks to answer the following questions: What are the regional political and economic challenges towards the realization of a United States of Africa, would the fall of dictatorial governments in the north and the ouster of Abdoulaye wade of Senegal in West Africa provide a solution to the realization of a united Africa, and what is the way forward.