The Arusha meeting represented another step in the pursuit of African Union vision on the Union Government after the Accra Summit in 2007 where the Committee of 12 Heads of State to consider ways of accelerating the economic and political integration of the continent.

The Information was given by the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, while briefing the Press on a number of issues that deserved some clarifications, in his office, on May 27, 2008.

Chief Maduekwe further informed his audience that the Committee met in Arusha, Tanzania, from 22 -23 May, 2008, which was attended by President Umaru Yar’Adua in his capacity as a member of the Committee.

He noted that Mr. President’s contribution was widely applauded which included some of the following:

1. Regional Integration were critical pathways to attainment of continental economic and political Union.
2. Regional Economic Communities such as ECOWAS, SADC, COMESSA are the building blocks for the ultimate economic and political integration of the continents;
3. The time frame for the creation of the African Union Government would depend on conditions created by Africa rather than fixing arbitrary dates for the Government to come into existence;

The Minister told the Press that the Committee of Heads of State and Government decided the proposal on the funding of the Union Government should be subjected to further study by the AU Commission and re-submitted to the Assembly.

He further told them that the decision on the time frame for the actualization of the Union Government and ultimately the United States of Africa would be made on the basis of the progress made on the agreed “accelerators” as well as “benchmarks”.

Chief Maduekwe explained that such “accelerators” included free movement of people across the borders, development of inter-regional infrastructure like energy, transportation and communication the establishment of continental financial institutions such as the African Central Bank to be hosted by Nigeria.

He further explained that the “benchmarks” also, included coherence, effectiveness and efficiency of institutional frame works, popularization as well as internationalization of core values underpinning the Union mobilization of people of Africa for unity and integration, thereby fast-tracking the move towards an African Common Market and the African Economic Community.