I have always dreamed of an Africa where I could travel freely, where peace is not threatened by political differences, and where the diverse people define what being an African means.
After I joined the African Leadership Academy in South Africa, I began to understand the pan-African writings of Kwame Nkruma, Julius Nyerere, and Ahmed Ben Bella. Soon after, their dreams would become my dream. A generation of African Leaders have died to reach that dream, and I believe it is my duty to contribute all my efforts for that greater cause- A united Africa.
I started reading about Pan African intellectuals in my first year of high school back in Morocco. Little did I know about what they wanted to achieve. African unity always seemed an impossible dream. However, when I joined civil society organizations and started participating in continental and international events, and I saw the brilliant profiles of the youth of my generation, I realized that there is hope. African unity can be achieved through quality education for Africans, strong institutions to ensure good leadership and fight corruption, and partnerships between African countries.
African unity can only be reached after Africans are educated about their true History. To achieve that goal, I have founded an organization called “Alkebulan”, to inform Africans from their different backgrounds about the History of the continent, its cultural diversity, and the commonality between its people. African Unity can only be achieved if the political divisions are put aside. I believe that if the complex political crises are to be explained, there is room for reconciliation. I have joined a student-led organization called “Root Voices”. Our mission is to decode the complex political situations on the continent and push the Youth to be more politically engaged.
African Unity can only be accomplished once The African continental free trade area (AfCFTA)is achieved. It is an agreement that would allow free movement of people and goods on the continent. To achieve it, all the member states of the African Union should achieve. I believe youth can be a part of it if they put pressure on their governments to ratify the treaty.
I will dedicate all my efforts and time to achieve those three milestones to fulfill my dream and the dream of many other Africans. Also, I am sure that I will need help from people who serve the same great cause.