October Topic: “The United States of Africa”

In the aftermath of calamitous wars in the mid-twentieth century, the world saw the rise of more regional blocks and systems. These very systems have continued to play a defining role in the new world order ever since their rise. Beyond the rise of regional political blocks, global institutions like the World Bank and the IMF have had significant impacts on the economies of countries like Mozambique. The European Union has often been cited as the premier model for a regional block both in terms of its economic vitality and political stability. Thus, various scholars have argued that the economic and structural development of Africa has been impeded by the lack of a system that produces and nurtures powerful and corruption-free States. That poses the question - is the “United States of Africa” the solution to the problems of Africa?

Some argue that a “United States of Africa” would fulfill the dreams of the founding leaders of the continent and would promote the peace and unity that Kwame Nkrumah dreamt of decades ago. Despite the seemingly ideological quest to finish what Nkrumah started, a united Africa could result in a more prosperous economy as cross-national trade would be greatly facilitated in an open market system. Moreover, by creating a single entity, there would be a unified front in fighting the poverty and disease that runs rampant in Africa.

Despite the seemingly altruistic nature of such a union, many have criticized or at the very least expressed reservation. The more economically stable countries like South Africa and the North African States have already expressed discontent over the influx of immigrants from poorer African countries into their society and if a union was proposed, this would lead to a cause of contention. Moreover, many Western States who maintain a strong influence over what happens within most of Africa will indeed feel threatened by a cohesive force that will seem impenetrable. Even looking inward, Africa is host to a diverse group of people, cultures, and traditions. Are these differences, not only in people, but in the vast number of governments themselves, reconcilable?

It will be your task, as delegates to the African Union, to discuss the very merits of a United Africa, socially, economically, and politically. Is Thabo Mbeki’s African dream a reality or simply a dream?

December Topic: Globalization: Neo-Colonialism With a Mask?

Singapore, Malaysia, China - one could go on with the list of States that have resurrected their economies and their people from poverty in the post world war era. On the contrary, it is hard to account for more than a handful of African countries that have hugely benefited from what is referred to as globalization. The definition of globalization is as elusive as are the positive impacts it has left on Africa. From crashing rice and cotton farms in sub-Saharan Africa to the flooding of African markets with cheap goods from the West and China, the economy of Africa is yet mainly determined in Geneva and Beijing. There is a one way traffic in the open market except for natural resources like diamond and gold which leave Africa but with nothing left in their place to symbolize their very existence apart from blood and child soldiers. Multi-National corporations continue to exploit Africa as was in colonial days and with the addition of an unfamiliar face in the ball park, China, the cherished culture and heritage of

Africa remain to be at risk. Could one even be forgiven for attributing Africa’s long horrific wars to globalization?

It would be a sinister error should one fail to see the good fruits that are borne by globalization in between its fair amount of thorns. Employment, economic growth, democracy, human rights, an open market, and the possibilities provided by its mere existence could be the missing ingredients needed to elevate Africa to par with the rest of the developed world. New biotechnology discoveries, the internet and other tools of communication, better data analyzing tools in addition to the previous list would see Africa combat presently inconceivable illnesses like malaria, TB and AIDS that continue to hinder the total economy of the continent. Hence, when President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf both discuss globalization, in a rather contrasting way, the debate of what part of globalization will make or break Africa becomes imminent. Whose side would the AU States take in this debate? If Africa had to deal with Colonialism for centuries, would it be satirical if they welcomed globalization home again?

Esteemed Delegates,

Welcome to the first iteration of the Online Harvard Model United Nations conference and to the African Union Committee!

My name is Rahul Yates, and I am a junior from Los Angeles studying Government, Economics, and South Asian Studies. Aside from HNMUN, I am involved with HMUN, HMUN India, and Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model United Nations team. Outside of MUN, I am involved with the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative, Harvard Undergraduate Consulting on Business and the Environment, Harvard’s South Asian Association, and Harvard Dharma (Hindu students association). In my free time, I love watching Bollywood movies and listening to music!

In committee, I am thrilled to watch you grapple with the twin challenges at the heart of our background guide: building a “United States of Africa” and charting a just course through globalization’s often-uneven waters. Whether your delegation is pressing for full political union, defending measured regional cooperation, or sparring over the terms of foreign investment and debt relief, I cannot wait to see how you thread your country’s history and ambitions into front-room speeches and back-room deal-making. The best crisis rooms buzz with daring bloc-building, plot-twisting directives, and the kind of electrifying energy that turns delegates into co-authors of history. I hope this AU session gives you all of that!

Best,

Rahul Yates