HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF O.A.U
The Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) was formed on the May 25th, 1963 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and has its headquarters there. The organization came into existence after a long debate as to how the continent of Africa should be reorganized and strengthened so that their independence could be attained and maintained and to eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa. Before the formation of O.A.U, there were three main organizations which compromised to form the organization. The three groups were;
- Monrovia Group
- Casablanca Group
- Brazzaville Group
- Casablanca Group: This group was made up of Morocco, Ghana, Libya, Guinea, Algeria, United Arab Emirate, Mali and came into being on January 1961.
- Monrovia Group: This Group consisted of Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Somalia and Togo. This group met in Liberia on May 1960.
- Brazzaville Group: This group was made up of twelve member countries. These include Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Congo, Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Upper Volta, Madagascar, Niger and Senegal. This group adopted their declaration to join O.A.U. on December 13, 1960.
EVALUATION QUESTION
- Explain how O.A.U. was formed
- List 4 countries under the Monrovia group.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF O.A.U
The O.A.U formed in 1963 has 32 members with the following as its aims as provided in its charter.
- Promotion of Unity: One of the aims and objectives of O.A.U is to promote the unity and solidarity of African States.
- Living Condition: To coordinate and intensify their cooperation and effort to achieve a better life for the people of African States.
- Common Defense: Members agreed to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African States.
- To eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa
- Promotion of International Peace: Member States agreed to work with other organizations like U.N.O to promote international peace and Cooperation having due regard for U.N Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- To promote peaceful resolution of conflicts among member states through negotiation, mediation, consultation and arbitration.
- United Front: To speak with one voice on World affairs so as to present a united front.
- To preserve the African personality, culture and tradition.
EVALUATION
- Mention five objectives of the O.A.U.
- How has O.A.U promoted unity in Nigeria?
PRINCIPLES OF O.A.U
The main principles for interaction among members state of O.A.U are:
- Sovereignty: All the members of O.A.U are sovereign and equal. No state should be under the control of any other state.
- Non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
- Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of members states
- Peaceful settlement of dispute by negotiation, mediation, reconciliation or arbitration.
- Affirmation of the policy of non-alignment with regard to all blocs
- Resistance to all forms of political assassination and as well as subversion.
- Absolute dedication to the total emancipation of all African States.
EVALUATION QUESTION
State 5 principles of O.A.U
GENERAL EVALUATION
- List 4 countries under Casablanca group
- List 4 countries under Monrovia group
- Mention the names of the countries that formed O.A.U.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- A.U was formed in (a) 1963 (b) 1964 (c) 1960
- A.U has its headquarters in (a) Ghana (b) Ethiopia (c) Addis Ababa
- The following belong to the Casablanca group except (a) Egypt (b) Mali (c) Liberia
- A.U has ____ member states (a) 23 (b) 32 (c) 35
- Brazzaville declared their membership of O.A.U in
(a) Dec. 19, 1960 (b) Dec. 14, 1960 (c) Dec. 18, 1960
THEORY
- Mention the countries under the Casablanca group
- Account for the formation of O.A.U.
See also