The significance of AU in modern-day African politics
The Organisation of African Union (OAU) came into being in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 25, 1963, with 32 signatory governments, and became operational on September 13, 1963.
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The OAU was, however, replaced on July 9, 2002 by the African Union (AU), after being in existence for 39 years.
The birth of the OAU was necessitated by the desire for an ideal form of unity promoted by the fathers of independence. A conference in Ethiopia set up the OAU and marked the arrival of the first Pan-African organisation which was guided by a charter.
Right from the beginning, the main objectives of the OAU were to eradicate colonialism and fight racial discrimination, so its first resolutions were about battling apartheid and assisting the liberation movements on the continent.
But in July 1999, during an extraordinary summit in Sirte, Libya, the OAU decided to set up a new organisation to replace it.
The African Union (AU), which was officially launched at the Durban Summit in 2002, was tasked with accelerating and deepening the process of economic and political integration on the continent.
Its founding act envisions bodies and institutions inspired in particular by the model of the European Union (EU).
The AU’s vision is to “build an Africa that is integrated, prosperous and at peace, led by its citizens and constituting a dynamic force on the world stage”.
It also has the peaceful resolution of conflicts, which unfortunately still remain the bane of Africa’s development, at the heart of its concerns.
It is with all these in mind that the AU commemorated its 14th anniversary and the 53rd Africa Day on Wednesday with a call by the Chair of the AU Commission, Nkosanzana Dlamini-Zuma, for a strong commitment to pan-Africanism to enable the continent to achieve economic integration.
We agree with her assertion that Africa’s progress depends on the collaborative efforts of all its member states, including civil society, the private sector, religious institutions, academia and the media.
In order to “build an Africa that is integrated, prosperous and at peace, led by its citizens and constituting a dynamic force on the world stage”, the heads of all the 54 nations of Africa must, indeed, be committed to removing all the barriers that affect intra-African trade.
It is by forging together as a continent that we can compete favourably with other continents and become a force to reckon with in global trade and politics.
The theme for this year's Africa Day celebration, “Human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of women”, as Dlamini-Zuma said, is most appropriate because investing in women is a guarantee for sustainable peace, stability and cohesion on the continent.
The Daily Graphic also believes that if Africa focuses on its Agenda 2063 vision, we will become a dynamic force in the international arena and the AU could be at par with other continental bodies such as the EU.
This is why the Daily Graphic thinks President John Mahama was spot on when he said in a message on his Facebook wall to mark the day that “Africa needs partnerships and not sympathy in its efforts to provide better standards of living for its people”.
We believe that if all nations collaborate to compete as partners on the global stage, the resources of the world will be harnessed for all inclusive development.
