In what ways do member States of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) co-operate with one another?

Answer Details

The Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963 and succeeded by the African Union in 2002, was created to promote unity and co-operation among African states. The member states co-operated with one another in the following ways:

1. Political co-operation and defence of sovereignty: Members agreed to respect one another's sovereignty and territorial integrity, to refrain from interfering in one another's internal affairs, and to settle their disputes peacefully, thereby maintaining peace among themselves.
2. Liberation of the continent: Through the OAU Liberation Committee, members co-operated by giving moral, financial and material support to nationalist movements fighting colonialism and apartheid in territories such as Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
3. Economic co-operation: Members co-operated to promote trade, harmonise economic policies, encourage joint development projects and reduce dependence on the former colonial powers, laying the basis for continental economic integration.
4. Peaceful settlement of disputes: The OAU established a Commission of Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration and used its machinery to mediate in border and other conflicts among member states (for example between Algeria and Morocco, and Somalia and its neighbours).
5. Cultural, educational and social co-operation: Members co-operated in education, science, health, culture and sports, exchanging teachers, students and expertise, and promoting African identity and solidarity.
6. Common stand in world affairs: Member states co-operated by adopting common positions and speaking with one voice in international organisations such as the United Nations, and by pursuing non-alignment in the cold-war rivalry.
7. Mutual assistance and solidarity: Members assisted one another in times of natural disaster, refugee crises and emergencies, and stood together against external aggression and neo-colonialism.