Organization of African Unity: Est. Fifty Years Ago

Abstract

Fifty years ago, on May 25, 1963 the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor organization of the African Union was established. At the time of its foundation only 31 independent states existed on the whole of the African continent, the process of decolonization was far from its completion. At the same time that era was characterized with immense optimism across Africa. All newly independent states joined the organization which despite the noble intentions became one of the instruments of the “balkanization” of the continent. In its nearly forty years of existence there was enough lip service devoted to fine words about the needs of integration, while in the meantime this was the period of non-interference policy into each other’s internal matters. Not incidentally the Organization of African Unity was called at this time as a “club of dictators”. In 2002 the outdated organisation was giving way to the newly established African Union, which put the main emphasis on the creation of democratic societies and the rebirth of Africa. Nowadays, good governance and economic and social progress finally mean a reality in an everlarger number of African countries. This is by far the most important issue in this year’s anniversary celebrations.