In an exclusive interview on a Tanzanian television trending on social media, South Africa’s former President Tabo Mbeki has accused African leaders for the poor functioning of the African Union and its accompanying structures.
He was speaking after the African education day that took place in Dar es salaam Tanzania, as part of celebration of the African day on May 25th 2025.
As Mr, Mbeki put it, the fears raised by Nwalimu Julius Nyerere years ago that attending independence by the various Africa countries could compromise the Pan African dream of a united Africa as countries will be more concentrated on their various National and individual interest than concerting as Africans to solving the continents problems.
On a specific case in point Mr. Mbeki revealed that the conflict and escalating war in Cameroon has not had a solution despite the efforts of the comission of former African heads of state repeated attempts to help Cameroons President Paul Biya in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has recorded thousands of deaths and a ragging humanitarian crisis.
In his own words Mr. Mbeki disclosed that, *“Mr. Biya has not been very keen to be assisted in solving these challenges”* denial by implication.
President Paul Biya of Cameroon refused dialoge
On one occasion, an African Union representative was dispatched to engage President Biya, but instead of addressing the issue, the representative was welcomed with a red carpet reception and formal protocol, prompting him to forget the objective of his visit, and as such defeating the objective of the Africa Union as an institution.
Indeed Mr Mbeki revealed his disappointment that African leaders on important assignment are most often overwhelmed by the grandeurs and splendore of their receptions that kills the objective of their assignment to the detriment of the continental organisation.
