Critical Analysis of the Challenges Faced by Au in Achieving Continental Unity
The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent. On 09 September 1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) issued a Declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, to accelerating the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation . AU was started under the auspicious of OAU objectives and a lot of its objectives were advanced from that of OAU.
The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations . These objectives were quite vague and broad without much emphasis in specific areas though indeed they were a bench mark for a better progress.
Indeed, as a continental organization the OAU provided an effective forum that enabled all Member States to adopt coordinated positions on matters of common concern to the continent in international forum and defend the interests of Africa effectively. Through the OAU Coordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa, the Continent worked and spoke as one with undivided determination in forging an international consensus in support of the liberation struggle and the fight against apartheid , it lacked the power and muscle to fight a decisive battle hence the formation of the AU. The AU which is Africa’s new political Union is hoped to foster prosperity and democracy through social, economic and regional integration.
The AU is
The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations . These objectives were quite vague and broad without much emphasis in specific areas though indeed they were a bench mark for a better progress.
Indeed, as a continental organization the OAU provided an effective forum that enabled all Member States to adopt coordinated positions on matters of common concern to the continent in international forum and defend the interests of Africa effectively. Through the OAU Coordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa, the Continent worked and spoke as one with undivided determination in forging an international consensus in support of the liberation struggle and the fight against apartheid , it lacked the power and muscle to fight a decisive battle hence the formation of the AU. The AU which is Africa’s new political Union is hoped to foster prosperity and democracy through social, economic and regional integration.
The AU is
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