Online Reporter
The Herald, 20 May 1988
THE 48th ordinary session of the Organisation of African Unity’s council of ministers opened here yesterday with calls for renewed efforts to complete the liberation of the whole African continent.
Ethiopian President Mengistu Haile Mariam, in a message read on his behalf by Ethiopian foreign minister Cde Berhanu Bayih, said the situation in Southern Africa appeared to be worsening, with the banning of democratic organisations inside South Africa, the imprisonment and killing of freedom fighters and the linking of extraneous issues to Namibia’s independence.
“All indications are that conditions are getting worse, rather than better,” said Cde Mengistu. He said Africa remained committed to pursuing the armed and diplomatic struggle against Pretoria with ever greater vigour and was also ready “to sit at the negotiating table to find solutions to the grave situation in Southern Africa”, even despite Pretoria’s “well-known duplicity”.
The Ethiopian president called for a continued active African role in pursuing dis- armament. No matter how pressed by other matters, Africans would never lose sight of global issues affecting peace and development.
Cde Mengistu called for efforts to make Africa a nuclear-free zone and also for the early convening of an international conference on the Middle East, a conference which has been called for too by the Non-Aligned Movement.
On the OAU and United Nations programmes for Africa’s economic recovery, he said it was disappointing the international community had not met expectations and responded to the maximum efforts exerted by African nations to implement the programme.
Nigerian foreign minister Major-General Nwachukwu called for a frank evaluation of successes and failures in this eve-of-the-OAU silver Jubilee meeting. “I believe we owe a duty to this organisation, to Africa, to produce for heads of state and government a frame work at this meeting in terms of which Africa will be set completely free by the year 2000,” he said.
Lessons for today
- The call to “complete the liberation of the whole African continent” shows that freedom from colonialism and oppression was still a major goal. It teaches that independence is a fundamental right for all nations.
- The OAU leaders supported both armed struggle and negotiations. This shows that resolving conflicts can involve different approaches, including resistance and peaceful talks. The meeting of African leaders demonstrates that working together as a continent strengthens the fight against injustice and external control.
- The criticism of the international community for not meeting expectations teaches that while external help is useful, African nations must also evaluate their own efforts and take responsibility for progress.
- The story teaches that unity, determination, and a balanced approach of struggle, negotiation, and cooperation are essential for achieving freedom, peace, and development in Africa.
