Title: Organization Of African Unity | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: Organization of African Unity (OAU)
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
PRINCIPAL INSTITUTIONS
ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
EVALUATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
BACKGROUND OF THE OAU
SHORTCOMINGS OF THE OAU
METAMORPHOSES OF THE OAU
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU)
Bibliography
Organization of African Unity

Content: Inspired in part by the philosophy of Pan-Africanism, the states of Africa sought through a political collective a means of preserving and consolidating their independence and pursuing the ideals of African unity. However, two rival camps emerged with opposing views about how these goals could best be achieved. The Casablanca Group, led by President Kwame Nkrumah (1909 – 1972) of Ghana, backed radical calls for political integration and the creation of a supranational body. The moderate Monrovia Group, led by Emperor Haile Selassie (1892 – 1975) of Ethiopia, advocated a loose association of sovereign states that allowed for political cooperation at the intergovernmental level. The latter view prevailed. The OAU was therefore based on the “ sovereign equality of all Member States, ” as stated in its charter. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Article 2 of the OAU Charter stated that the organization ’ s purposes included the promotion of the unity and solidarity of African states; defense of their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence; and the eradication of all forms of colonialism from Africa. Member states were to coordinate and harmonize their policies in various areas, including politics and diplomacy, economics, transportation, communications, education, health, and defense and security.