Rethinking the Current Institutional and Governance Framework for African Unification.

The article critically examines the institutional and governance frameworks underpinning African unification efforts, focusing on the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It argues that despite the establishment of RECs and the AU to promote social, political, and economic integration, these bodies have been hindered by Eurocentric mandates, limited resources, overlapping memberships, and a strict adherence to state sovereignty, resulting in stalled progress toward continental unity and economic development. The study proposes adopting an alternative theoretical framework called "constructive dualism," which integrates indigenous governance knowledge systems with existing structures to better address Africa's diverse sociocultural realities and political complexities. It recommends rethinking and restructuring institutional mandates, enhancing representation, and fostering bottom-up participatory governance to overcome structural impediments and advance a more inclusive, effective African unification process.