Organization of African Unity

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Organization of African Unity

Organization of African Unity (OAU), former international organization, established 1963 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by 37 independent African nations to promote unity and development; defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of members; eradicate all forms of colonialism; promote international cooperation; and coordinate members' economic, diplomatic, educational, health, welfare, scientific, and defense policies. The OAU was, at the time, the most significant result of Pan-Africanism. The organization mediated several border and internal disputes and was instrumental in bringing about majority rule and the end of apartheid in South Africa, which in 1994 became the 53d nation to be admitted to the organization.

In 1997, OAU members established the African Economic Community (AEC), envisioned as an African common market; the AEC signed an agreement with regional African economic groupings that was intended to lead to harmonization of policies of those common markets. A more radical expansion and transformation of the OAU was adopted at Lomé, Togo, in 2000, in the form of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which replaced the OAU in 2002. The African Union has with greater powers to promote African economic, social, and political integration, and a stronger commmitment to democratic principles.

References in periodicals archive ?

Ouguergouz sees 1975 as the "apogee" of the "conspiracy of silence" in OAU about human rights (p.

La Charte africaine des droits de l'homme et des peuples: Une approche juridique des droits de l'homme entre tradition et modernite

General Olusegun Obasanjo is already performing some of those mediating tasks outside the purview of the OAU. Africa's respect for elders could be tapped to help the success of such roles.

Africa: in search of self-pacification

If this is done on time by OAU, I believe the parents will know how to work with the school to solve issues before they lead to suicide.

On Suicide Of OAU Student

In 2001, when the OAU was morphing into the AU, I was privileged to be one of a few African journalists invited to Addis Ababa to cover the transition events.

We are shaming our ancestors

to receive on the territories of independent African States, nationalists from liberation movements in order to give them training in all sectors and afford young people all the assistance they need for their education and vocational training" (OAU, 1963).

The place of private higher education in regional institutions in Africa: the case of the OAU/AU and the intergovernmental authority on development

Minister Dlamini Zuma would have become the first woman since the formation of the OAU in 1963 to serve as chairperson of our continental body - not only because she is a woman; but because of her proven leadership capabilities.

Reflections on the recent AU Summit

Part I of this paper discusses the OAU. Specifically, Part I.A.

From the OAU to the AU: a normative shift with implications for peacekeeping and conflict management, or just a name change?

He added that we are reaping today the fruits of the efforts of the founding fathers of the OAU and the successive generations of African generations.

Al-Sisi stresses necessity of African cooperation to develop continent

Haile Selassie was more than 30 years into his reign when he helped establish the OAU. It's first meeting, in May 1963, was held in Addis Ababa.

Rastafarian 'god' gets African statue

In 1963, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was created as a compromise between the two extremes.From 1975, the protracted conflict over Western Sahara posed the dilemma of reconciling the principle of self-determination and the quest for African unity.

Pan-Africanism the bridge to a shared future of civilisations

Mr Shittu, born on March 23, 1953, studied law at OAU, graduating in 1978.

Another Buhari minister busted for skipping NYSC ...risks jail term

Amman, May 14 (Petra)-- Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh patronized a ceremony organized by African embassies in the Kingdom celebrating Africa Day; the day on which the Organization of African Unity was (OAU) founded in 1963.