Classwork Series and Exercises {Government – SS3}: Organisation of African Unity

Government, SS 3, Week: 10

Topic: Organization of African Unity (OAU)

Historical Perspective of OAU

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was formed on May 25, 1963 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Thirty independent African states attended the inaugural meeting. The organisation was intended to unite all African states against the forces of colonialism and imperialism and also to work towards the resolution of African socio-economic and political problems. The OAU is made up of all independent African states which did not augur well for unity.

1. Casablanca group: Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, guineas, Mali and Algeria.
2. Brazaville or African and Malaysian group: Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Niger Republic, etc.
3. Monrovia group: Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, etc.

At the signing of the charter in Addis Ababa, the existing three blocs were present but only Monrovia and Casablanca was dissolved while Brazzaville or African Madagasky group continued to exist. Therefore, OAU as a body came into existence on May 25, 1963 with 32 signatory governments and at the end of 1973, it comprised of 42 states. The headquarters is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, about 53 countries make up the body and they are all independent states. Eritrea was admitted as the 52^nd member of the organization at the summit of Heads of state and government in June 1993 after obtaining its independence from Ethiopia on May 24, 1993. South Africa was equally re-admitted as the 53^rd member of OAU on May 24, 1994 after apartheid was disorganised.

Aims and Objective of OAU

1. It aims to promote the unity and solidarity of African States.
2. To ensure good living standard for the people.
3. To work towards the eradication of all forms of colonialism from Africa.
4. Promotion of international co-operation and peace.
5. To have a united front on issues of global importance.
6. To defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states.
7. To co-ordinate and harmonise members political, economic, educational, cultural, scientific and defence policies.
8. To ensure that all Africans enjoyed human rights.

Principles of OAU

1. All member states are sovereign; none should be under the control of any other state.
2. They agreed that all disputes among member states should be settled peacefully.
3. No state is allowed to dominate another.
4. No member state has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of other member states.
5. Member states should have faith in the policy of non-alignment.
6. Absolute dedication to the total emancipation of the African territories which are still dependent.
7. There should be respect for the territorial integrity and independence of each state.

Organs of OAU

1. The Assembly of Heads of state and Government: This is the supreme organ of the organisation. It reviews the structure, functions and acts of all the organs and any specialised agencies which may be created in accordance with the present charter. The assembly meets at least once a year. Each state has one vote in the assembly and assembly resolutions require two-thirds majority for adoption. Between sessions of the assembly, OAU policy is controlled by council of ministers that meets at least twice a year. The assembly appoints the secretary-general who heads the secretariat.
2. The Council of Ministers: This consists of foreign ministers or other ministers as are designated by governments of member states. The council meets at least twice a year and it meets in extraordinary sessions when approved by two-thirds of all member states. The council of ministers is responsible for preparing conferences for the assembly. It also implements decision of the assembly of heads of state and government. All resolutions are determined by a simple majority of the members of the council of ministers. Two-thirds of the total membership of the council of ministers forms a quorum for any meeting of the council. The council has the power to determine its own rules of procedure.
3. General Secretariat: The secretary-general of the organization was appointed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government with the function of directing the affairs of the secretariat. He has five assistant secretary-generals, each elected from a geographical region by the Assembly for a term of four years. Their functions and that of other employees of the secretariat will be governed by the regulations approved by the Heads of state and government. The General Secretariat is the permanent organ whose task is to service various OAU meetings, implement decisions and resolutions adopted by the summit and council. It keeps documents and archives and also co-ordinates member states in all fields.
4. Commission of Meditation, Conciliation and Arbitration: Member states pledge to settle disputes among themselves by peaceful means and to this end decides to establish a commission of Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration. The conditions of service will be defined by a separate protocol to be approved by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
5. The Liberation Committee: It was established to aid independence movements and look after the interests of already-liberated states.

Achievements of OAU

1. The organization served as a forum for African leaders to discuss African affairs.
2. The organization has allowed the African states to take a united stand at the UNO.
3. It contributed to the settlement of disputes among African states.
4. It encouraged regional and economic co-operation.
5. It promoted world peace.
6. OAU helped in the eradication of apartheid.
7. It sustained socio-economic development of member states of the organisation.

Problems of the OAU

1. Due to frequent changes of government, many African states are politically unstable.
2. Some member states of the organization still owe allegiance to their former colonial masters.
3. OAU as an organization has no standing army.
4. Decisions of the organization may not be binding on the members.
5. Most of the countries are poor which made their economies dependent on foreign powers.
6. There is shortage of fund for member states to run their daily activities.
7. There is border conflict among member states.