Going back to the roots: The OAU Charter

The following are the OAU’s purposes principles as agreed to by Heads of State on May 25, 1963.Purposes

Article II

1. The Organisation shall have the following purposes:

(a) To promote the unity and solidarity of the African States;

(b) To co-ordinate and intensify their co-operation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa;

(c) To defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence;

(d) To eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa; and

(e) To promote international co-operation, having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

2. To these ends, the Member States shall co-ordinate and harmonise their general policies, especially in the following fields:

(a) Political and diplomatic co-operation;

(b) Economic co-operation, including transport and communications;

(c) Educational and cultural co-operation;

(d) Health, sanitation and nutritional co-operation;

(e) Scientific and technical co-operation; and

(f) Co-operation for defence and security.

 

Principles

Article III

The Member States, in pursuit of the purposes stated in Article II, solemnly affirm and declare their adherence to the following principles:

1. The sovereign equality of all Member States.

2. Non-interference in the internal affairs of States.

3. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State and for its inalienable right to independent existence.

4. Peaceful settlement of disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation or arbitration.

5. Unreserved condemnation, in all its forms, of political assassination as well as of subversive activities on the part of neighbouring States or any other States.

6. Absolute dedication to the total emancipation of the African territories which are still dependent.

7. Affirmation of a policy of non-alignment with regard to all blocs.