Online Reporter
The Herald 25 May 1988
WHEN the OAU was established 25 years ago, the founding fathers envisioned an organisation that would unite the continent militarily, politically and economically and one which would strive to improve the living standards of the African people.
They envisioned an organisation that would also spearhead the total liberation of the continent from colonialism and defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of member countries.
Africa, they reasoned correctly, had suffered deprivation, exploitation, colonialism and even slavery and needed to recover. It had the resources in the form of the raw materials and political will to shake itself out of its shameful situation.
Because African leaders then and now were at one in appreciating the need to face the challenges as a united continent, they set aside any differences they may have had to create the OAU. Today the OAU is the only continental organisation of its kind, with a membership of equal partners from the richest and the poorest nations all having the same voice.
It is the only continental organisation that owes no allegiance to any particular power or subscribes to any one political ideology. Monarchs, progressives, moderates, conservatives, revolutionaries all sit side by side, and seriously try to solve Africa’s problems.
The OAU has been instrumental in the liberation of many countries, Zimbabwe included, and has proposed a programme of action to cure its externally-induced economic ills.
Its Africa Economic Recovery Plan has been endorsed by the United Nations.
Other successes have been in promoting functional co-operation over a wide field of activities, from co-ordinating the construction of the trans-Sahara highway, to the establishment of a continental network of telecommunications to a wide range of health activities and programmes for Africa’s refugees.
The road has been a difficult one, however. The conflict between Chad and Libya and the problems of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic with Morocco still cry out for an African solution. Answers to the continent’s US$200 million foreign debt are yet to be found, many of the continent’s people still languish in poverty and solutions to our famine problems still elude us.
But, there is no doubt that there is a mighty chance of success if African countries apply themselves to seeking solutions to these problems. At 25, the OAU is surely mature enough to restart its course with greater confidence than before.
HAPPY AFRICA DAY ZIMBABWE
- African leaders recognised that working together as one continent was essential to overcome shared challenges. Setting aside differences allowed them to create a strong, collective voice.
- Africa’s past marked by colonialism, exploitation, and slavery created a common need for recovery and development. The OAU was founded to restore dignity, independence, and self-reliance.
- The message encourages African nations to keep working together to solve problems. At 25 years, the OAU was seen as mature enough to reassess and improve its direction. Continental unity, shared purpose, and cooperation can bring significant progress, but Africa must continue working collectively to overcome ongoing challenges and achieve full development.
