Page 162 - Afrika Must Unite

SOME ATTEMPTS AT UNIFICATION 147
should come first, as the necessary prelude to the creation of the
extended field for which integrated plans for development in the
economic and social spheres can be worked out. Their belief in
the importance of putting political aims first is strengthened by
experience in their own countries, where political independence
had to be achieved before economic reconstruction could be
taken in hand.
There may be some significance in the fact that M onrovia,
which has given its name to the group that attaches priority to
economic associations, is the capital of the one country on the
African continent which has not had to fight a battle for its
political sovereignty. Nevertheless, Liberia has had ruggedly to
hold its national integrity and viability against the territorial
and economic encroachments of outside powers throughout its
somewhat chequered history, and must many times have wished
for the help that its colonialized neighbours were then unable to
give.
In spite of the very real difference of approach between the
two groups to the vital issue of unity, it cannot be said that there
is a rigid division between us. O n the contrary, every oppor­
tunity and means are used for cordial intercourse and useful dis­
cussion. For example, the Prime M inister of Nigeria enjoyed a
very friendly visit to Guinea in December 1961. At about the
same time, we welcomed to Ghana the President of M auritania,
a- country which our Casablanca colleague, Morocco, did not
then recognize.
In December i960 His Im perial Majesty Haile Selassie I,
Emperor of Ethiopia, visited Ghana. In the communique issued
at the end of the visit it was declared that the Heads of State of
Ghana and Ethiopia agreed: ‘T hat a Union of the African States
is a necessity which should be pursued energetically in the
interests of African solidarity and security.’
President Abdulla Osman of Somalia expressed similar views
on unity during his official visit to Ghana in October 1961. In a
joint communique we reaffirmed our faith and belief in African
unity as the most reliable safeguard against neo-colonialism and
the balkanization of the African continent.
In a world divided into hostile camps and warring factions,
Africa cannot stand divided without going to the wall. Patrice