It had noble ideals, reflecting the wind of change which Harold Macmillan saw blowing across the continent — promoting the political and economic betterment of Africa and its people, combating colonialism and defending the sovereignty of African states. Africa seemed set on a solid pathway to progress, unlike its counterparts in southern and south-east Asia.
And for a while it seemed as if that sense of optimism was largely justified. But all too quickly the wealth of the continent was appropriated by the political elites and the Cold War — often an uncomfortably hot war in Africa — distorted political relationships and stymied progress.
Whether leaders were able to maintain peace and stability, or governed well, mattered less to the West and the East than which side of the political divide they lay. The s and 80s were as a consequence, for Africa, largely lost decades. The end of the Cold War saw a major shift in the global political dynamic. As the countries of eastern and central Europe implemented political and economic transformation programmes — not least because that was a condition of membership of the European Community, to which many of them aspired — so economic and political governance became increasingly key elements in the relationship between donors and the countries of Africa.
The Millennium Development Goals MDGs adopted in had as their overarching ambition the reduction by half of the proportion of people living in the world in extreme poverty, with a number of other Goals focusing essentially on primary health and basic education. Nkrumah nevertheless underestimated the support for a continental union which would require the surrendering of sovereignty to gain a common monetary, foreign and defence policy, and by the time the OAU was established it presented itself as a diluted version of its former envisioned grandeur.
The turbulence of the early s pressed the notion of African countries presenting a united front in the hopes of being taken seriously on the world stage, although the newfound OAU disappointed many of its founding members. Thus, between 22 and 25 May , delegates from 32 African countries convened in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa to establish the Organisation for African Unity OAU , intended to form the continental base for pan-Africanism but resulting in a watered-down compromise between competing ideological blocs.
At the outset, then, complete unification seemed unattainable. The divisions rendered the construction of a union government based on a consensus of structural, military and political institutions untenable.
The OAU was thus founded with the intention that the organisation would proceed, incrementally, with unification until the eventual goal of a Union of African States was realised. Source: thisisafrica. While the immediate full integration of African countries was untenable, the OAU did make significant steps towards identifying socio-economic development issues which racked the continent after independence.
Thus, the OAU Charter outlined its objectives to. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state and its inalienable right to independent existence,.
Unreserved condemnation, in all its forms, of subversive activities on the part of neighbouring states or any other states,. Absolute dedication to the total emancipation of the African territories which were still dependent, and.
Gradually, an additional 21 states joined the ranks of OAU member states, with South Africa becoming the 53rd and final state to join. Independence was a prerequisite for attaining membership status in the OAU, although policies of the organisation were not legally binding on member states.
The Council Of Ministers, consisting of foreign ministers designated by each member state, met biannually and was accountable to the Assembly. The function of the Council centred on preparing matters of concern for discussion at Assembly meetings. The Council was also responsible for implementing decisions of the Assembly and the coordination of member state cooperation.
In an attempt to address the potential for inter-state disputes, the OAU Charter provided for the establishment of a Commission of Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration which would allow for the peaceful settlement of disputes among members of the Organisation. The OAU also established a Liberation Committee tasked with assisting liberation movements in Mozambique, Angola and Guinea Bissau through the provision of material assistance. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, the OAU faced considerable challenges to the execution of its objectives.
While it did undertake a number of important ventures, such as aiding liberation movements to overthrow colonial regimes, combating racism and apartheid and resolving boundary disputes among member states.
It is a bi-annual publication on developments and trends in the area of sovereign credit rating services by international rating agencies among African countries. Skip to main content. About the African Union Share:. The OAU Charter spelled out the purpose of the Organisation namely: To promote the unity and solidarity of the African States; To coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa; To defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence; To eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa; and To promote international cooperation, having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ensure the effective participation of women in decision-making, particularly in the political, economic and socio-cultural areas; Develop and promote common policies on trade, defence and foreign relations to ensure the defence of the Continent and the strengthening of its negotiating positions; Invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our Continent, in the building of the African Union.
Key Resources Key All Documents. AU Elections. Statement Delivered By H. Opening Statement Delivered by H.
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