The organization shall have the following purposes. The organisation of african unity is formed and africa day. A new vision for the 21 st century, or political rhetoric. The organisation of african unity oau was established on 25 may 1963 in addis ababa, on signature of the oau charter by representatives of 32 governments. The organization shall include the continental african states, madagascar and other islands surrounding africa. For all its muchpublicised shortcomings, it has also been acknowledged by some experts as the most effective of those bodies.
Since 1999, three summits have been held to facilitate the implementation of the african union au. African union intergovernmental organization, africa. Likewise, the diplomatic history of modern africa goes back to the early. The african union by makaria green the african union au was established on july 8, 2001. On 25 may, 1963, the first african organisation after independence, the organisation of african unity oau was formed in addis ababa, ethiopia. Its purpose is to promote solidarity between african nations and to eliminate colonialism in africa. The organization of african unity and its role in regional. This pdf contains the original document published in 1999 with none of the updates that have been applied to the online text version posted here. Title charter of the organization of african unity and problems of.
Oecd organisation for economic corporation and development. The golden jubilee celebration of an institution like the oau and later the african au is a special event. May 10, 2009 the organization of african unity oau, 19632002 was an alliance of independent african nations working to enhance cooperation between the newly decolonized african governments. A common denominator in the african diplomacy1 organization of african unity was a brainchild of an african idealist dr. One of the main heads for oaus establishment was kwame nkrumah of ghana. Since the period of antiquity, many african states maintained their close relation through peaceful negotiation of treaties, settlement of disputes as well as peacefully maintained the. On may 25 1963 in addis ababa, ethiopia, the 32 african states that had achieved independence at that time agreed to establish the organization of african unity oau. It pays attention to theories underlying the founding of international governmental organisations, before briefly exploring the history of the oau. History of the pan african congress manchester, panaf services, 1947. The african union was carved out of a previously existing organisation called the organisation of african unity oau. From 32 independent member states in 1963, the independent member states of africa are now 53. West africa and international organizations history.
Organisation of african unity oau south african history online. Founding charter of the organization of african unity. The alliance had its basis in the panafricanist philosophy encouraging the unity of all peoples of african ancestry. Solved give the specialized agencies of the organization of african unityoau. About the organization of african unity exploring africa. Hashim mbita hero of liberation in africa knowledge for. The alliance had its basis in the panafricanist philosophy encouraging the unity of all peoples of african ancestry, but it also was inspired by ongoing independence struggles as various african nations freed.
Organization of african unity history free pdf ebook. The african union was formed after the dissolution of the organization of african unity oau in 2002. The history and development of the african union panorama. They made panafricanism an exclusive african movement, lead by africans. The organization of african unity was established in 1963 in addis abeba.
The organization of african unity oau is the contemporary embodiment and the vehicle of the mode of political consciousness historically referred to as panafricanism. The organisation was founded by thirtytwo countries, a further 21 states have joined gradually over the years, with south africa becoming the 53rd member on 23 may 1994. Pdf this paper explores some of the founding principles of the african union. The goal was to bring together all black activists and organisations in the united states to coordinate and strategise the way forward for the community. The new south africa shall qualify for the membership of the organisation of african unity. Other articles where organization of afroamerican unity is discussed. The african union has with greater powers to promote african economic, social, and political integration, and a stronger commmitment to democratic principles. The history and goals of the african union organization. A dissertation submitted to the department of political science, universitat trier, germany, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of doctor of philosophy phd may 2004 submitted by. Thirty independent african states attended the inaugural meeting. In 1963 the leaders of thirtytwo newly independent african states gathered in addis ababa, ethiopia, to establish the organization of african unity oau, primarily intended to promote unity and cooperation among african states, uphold selfgovernment and respect for territorial boundaries, and eradicate all forms of colonialism from africa.
Chapter 7 from organization of african unity to african union. The oau was established on 25 may 1963 in addis ababa, on signature of the oau charter by representatives of 32 governments. The oau was established in 1963 with the official purpose of promoting unity and. Charter of the organization of african unity, 479 u. The charter that created the oau was the result of several multinational african conferences held in the 1950s and 1960s aimed at supporting africans. The organisation of african unity oau, established on 25 may 1963, was the culmination of a number of diverse and farreaching historical. It was disbanded on 9 july 2002 by its last chairperson, south african president thabo mbeki, and replaced. Organisation of african unity oau, its successes and failures, and its evolution into the recently founded african union.
A further 21 states have joined gradually over the years, with south africa becoming the 53rd member on 23 may 1994. The creation of the oau by makonnen ketema in may 1963, thirtytwo independent african states, who had genuine hopes and visions for the continent of africa, came together in addis ababa, ethiopia, to create the organization of african unity oau. For africans and friends of africa, it has greater public importance. Oau charter we, the heads of african states and governments assembled in the city of addis ababa, ethiopia, convinced that it is the inalienable right of all people to control their own destiny, conscious of the fact that freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential. It was disbanded on 9 july 2002 by its last chairperson, south african president thabo mbeki, and replaced by the african union au. In february 2019, south africa was elected as the incoming chair and will take over in 2020. The organisation of african unity is formed and africa day is. The african union au is the successor of the former organisation of african unity oau. The aus birth is very much linked with the history, aspirations, norms. From the organisation of african unity to the african union.
In may 1963, despite the push by some notable delegates for a stronger. The organization of african unity oau and later on the african union au will celebrate its fifty year anniversary on 25 may, 20 in addis ababa. Mweti munya a purely contemporary view of any problem is necessarily a limited and even distorted view. Number of au policies, by category 19632010 the au has recognized the centrality of health to development and its importance as a rights issue and has been instrumental. Of all the 1945 pan african congress in manchester. Furthermore, study interrogates the historical impact of the oau in its endeavors to bring political stability on the african continent. Precolonial africa was not strange for the art of diplomacy. A more radical expansion and transformation of the oau was adopted at lome, togo, in 2000, in the form of the constitutive act of the african union, which replaced the oau in 2002.
Of particular import to the ideological formation of the oau was the late 19th century panafricanist movement which emerged in the. The african union au replaced the organization of african unity oau. Second, the modern african state system was shaped by colonial. The oau is entering from political liberalization to phase two by focusing on the economic integration. The organisation of african unity was an intergovernmental organization established on 25. The organization of african unity oau was formed in may 1963 by the independent african countries to serve as a platform where african states could enhance unity and cooperation, stand together to remove the vestiges of colonialism in the continent and to end apartheid racial segregation rule in south africa, minority rule in then rhodesia. Oau was born in 1963 after a series of panafrican movement in europe. Union of african states and history of the african union. The purpose of the thesis is to explore explanatory factors for the different approaches to respectively a noninterference policy, by the oau, and a nonindifference policy by the au. Apr 17, 2009 founding charter of the organization of african unity. The oau was a decisive watershed in the history of.
The 50 years struggle of the organisation of african unity oau. A further 21 members joined gradually, reaching a total of 53 by the time of the aus creation in 2002. The african union au is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the african continent. What are the specialized agencies of the organization of african unityoau. Africa, consensus diplomacy, organization of african unity oau 1. Opportunities to improve womens and childrens health 3 figure 2. Congolese republic president denis sassou nguesso and zimbabwean president robert mugabe have both led the au and its predecessor, the organisation of african unity during the terms 198688 and 200607, and 199798 and 201516 respectively. The organization of african unity oauafrican union at 50. The recent transformation of the oau into the african union au has significantly strengthened the movement towards the goal of panafrican political and economic union. As a historical phenomenon, panafricanism has already been. The mandate of african union is much more proactive than that of its predecessor with regard to intervention in internal conflicts. Its predecessor was the organization for african unity oauestablished in 1963. For the important role he played in regional liberation as well as integration during his 20year tenure as the executive secretary of the liberation committee of the organisation of african unity oau precursor to the african union au.
The oau, or organization of african unity, is founded at a conference in 1963 in addis ababa which remains to this day the site of its administrative headquarters. Additionally, some of structural and practical weaknesses of the organization of african unity have been. In 1965 he founded the organization of afroamerican unity as a secular vehicle to internationalize the plight of black americans and to make common cause with the people of the developing worldto move from civil rights to human rights. These two conferences were milestones in the quest for african unity. What we do in 1964 malcolm x founded the organisation of african american unity oaau. The organisation of african unity oau was formed on may 25, 1963 in addis ababa, ethiopia. This paper seeks to reassess the record of the organization in the background of its historical evolution and operational context. The organisation of african unity oau, established on 25 may 1963, was the culmination of a number of diverse and farreaching historical currents and political trends both on the african continent and abroad. Under the provisions of ar 8705, commanders at all echelons are charged with the responsibility of establishing and. The organization of african unity oauafrican union at. The organization of african unity oau was established on 25 may 1963 to promote regional cooperation among newly independent african states. An evaluation is provided of the role of the oau, before point. The organization of african unity oau, 19632002 was an alliance of independent african nations working to enhance cooperation between the newly decolonized african governments. This created a division among african leaders particularly between the frenchspeaking and the englishspeaking countries4.
The sad aspect of this conspiracy was that some african leaders collaborated with their former colonial powers to undermine african unity and its initiatives. We, the heads of african states and governments assembled in the city of addis ababa, ethiopia, convinced that it is the inalienable right of all people to control their own destiny. Colonial and coloured unity, a programme of action. Organizational history is the record of a military units entire past. Transformation of the organisation of african unity oau. Organization to be known as the organization of african unity. Inform governments and intergovernmental organisations throughout the world. However, if there is any point in time in african history approximating.
Accumulated experience of the african peoples unity movementsham independence and the unity movementafrican peoples wars and imperialist escalation the organisation of african unitysome essential features of the enemys offensive the need for selfcritical objective diagnosis. African union au, intergovernmental organization, established in 2002, to promote unity and solidarity of african states, to spur economic development, and to promote international cooperation. The organization of african unity oau now the african union au since 2002, was. In pursuance of the objectives stated in this document, organisation of african unity hereby commits itself to. Organisation of african unity oau south african history. Third world, the organisation of african unity oau is the largest in terms of its membership. The organisation of african unity oauwas launched in 1963 in addis ababa, ethiopia. The organisation was founded by thirtytwo countries, a further 21 states have joined gradually over the years, with south africa becoming the 53rd member on.
Organization of african unity was dissolved in favour of a new organization, the african union, in 2002. The organization of african unity and the african union. In may 1963, 32 heads of independent african states met in addis ababa ethiopia to sign the charter creating. The oau was formed in 1963 when many african leaders wanted to accelerate the process of european decolonization and gain independence for a number of new nations. The recent transformation of the oau into the african union au has significantly strengthened the movement towards the goal of pan african political and economic union. The movement then definitely entered the sphere of practical politics,6 and between 1959 and 1963 various. The organisation was founded by 32 countries, a further 21 countries have joined gradually over the years, with south africa becoming the 53rd member on 23 may 1994. Organization of african unity oau african union au. The organisation of african unity is formed and africa day is declared.
562 290 678 1143 331 1162 1265 1175 1461 1523 921 1043 9 468 337 582 989 507 712 902 1545 1100 1369 176 672 1005 717 657 306 1344 924 286 852