East Africa Legislative Assembly MP David Ole Sankok says the vision of a united Africa is both achievable and rooted in history.
Speaking on the prospects of regional integration and the broader Pan-African dream, Sankok highlighted that Africa has successfully managed cross-border cooperation before, making the idea of a United States of Africa a continuation of past efforts.
“Say it is not even an easy conversation for us to have a president from one community and not mine. Community, yeah, you know, for you, the President is good when he comes from your community, but we have always struck some balances. Okay, we have always tried to agree to disagree, and then we agree,” Sankok said during an interview with Radio Generation.
The legislator drew parallels between colonial-era divisions and current regional aspirations, noting that Maasai communities were split between Kenya and Tanzania by artificial boundaries, yet they maintained ties across borders.
Sankok emphasized that a united Africa is not a novel idea.
He added that students and professionals could move freely across borders, following the same curriculum and benefiting from shared institutions.
The MP stressed that current efforts build on this experience.
“We are dealing with something that has been done. At the moment, we are actually amending our laws and the treaty to have one airspace,” Sankok noted, adding that he has sponsored key bills to further regional integration, including one on the use of local currency in inter-country trade.
On the broader Pan-African vision, the EALA MP said the ultimate goal is the United States of Africa, where citizens would hold a continental identity card, harmonized systems, and shared resources.
“Of course, there will be a few descending forces here and there, right? But eventually the majority will have their way, and the majority of Africans need the United States of Africa, right?” he said, emphasising the belief that unity and cooperation are both possible and beneficial.
Sankok’s remarks highlight that Africa’s history of regional cooperation, shared institutions, and convertible currencies provides a foundation for current integration efforts.
The move toward common airspace, local currency usage in trade, and a unified identity card reflects a continuation of practical steps that have historically connected East African countries and beyond.
