UN General Assembly
1962

268. In my Government's view, honest economic co-operation. must be the mainspring of African unity. We have, all of us, been colonized for more than half a century; we suffer from a lack of trained personnel and from under development; and, finally, we share a common culture. All these common links cannot fail to overcome our selfishness and pride. We have quickly felt and understood the overriding need to pool our efforts so as to present a united front to our many and important problems, which are similar in every way. This common heritage has contributed greatly to creating a situation more favourable than ever for bringing us together again after the fever of the first days. We are convinced, moreover, that African unity will be, built upon a programme of economic co-operation and not around one man or State.