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There are useful lessons to be learned from the organisation and other subsidiary organs such as the Frontline States since unity of purpose and perseverance brought about their desired goal of independence in most countries and a drive towards regional and inter-regional integration in economic, cultural and economic areas.

The OAU, which has now been renamed African Union, was founded in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and made history by bringing African countries together to speak with one voice on issues confronting the continent. It was quite fitting that yet another historic meeting of the African Union was held in Ethiopia in the same city and scored some firsts that show how mature the African leadership has become since the days of the struggle for independence.

The African Union Commission, the AU’s secretariat, elected a woman, South African Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as the head of its commission, the first time the post went to a woman, and the first time that the position was taken up by a candidate from Southern Africa.

We would like to also congratulate Dr Dlamini-Zuma for her history-making feat and the Southern African region for backing one of their own in the tight race for the AU Commission head that had dragged on since last year.

The African Union Commission is composed of 10 officials and is the Secretariat of the Union entrusted with executive functions. The commission is composed of a chairperson, a deputy chairperson, eight commissioners and staff members. The structure represents the Union and protects its interest under the auspices of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government as well as the Executive Committee. The AU Commission is made up of the following portfolios: Peace and Security; Political Affairs; Trade and Industry; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs; Rural Economy and Agriculture; Human Resources, Science and Technology; and Economic Affairs.

As Dr Dlamini-Zuma takes over the hot seat we believe she will be guided by the goals of the organisation of being “an efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process  in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”.

It is unfortunate that the scramble for the post might have overshadowed the core values and overall goals of the institution and created a need by the incoming chair to conduct some exorcism and cleansing to heal the wounds of the vanquished.  This was to be expected though considering the revolutionary nature of the electoral process whereby countries to the north of us had grown so used to leading that they could not imagine being led by especially English-speaking Africa.

Now that the real work begins it is our expectation that in this increasingly globalised world, the new Chair will steer the African Union Commission towards an African agenda. We say this because various arms of African bodies have been suspiciously funded by western countries under the cover of non-governmental bodies all in a bid to set the agenda since he who pays the piper calls the tune.

The agenda is simple: Africa for Africans as we need to take ownership of our resources and engage partners on our own terms since the fight against colonialism was waged to level the playing field. A plea also goes out to member states to pay their dues to ensure that the continental body is not condemned to begging that would ultimately compromise its integrity.

The body definitely needs adequate funding to intervene in various trouble spots around the continent, lead the drive towards regional economic integration as well as lobbying for favourable trading terms with continental bodies.  We need to harness the strength in our diversity as Africans so that we emphasise more of what brings us together rather than what sets us apart. May an African vision and agenda drive the African continent now and forever more.