The
Organisation of African Unity (OAU): at 50
The creation of the OAU
on 25th May 1963 was an initiative aimed at strengthening and
kick-starting sustainable independence in every developmental aspect like other
nations. Fifty years on, Africans are concerned that their continent is yet to
be truly independent and progressive.
The
Indicators of Success
As the saying “the
proof of the pudding is in the eating” thus, the true test of success of the
OAU (now the African Union) fifty years on can only be judged by Africans
themselves.
In reality Africans
worldwide are aware that the African Union exists to protect the individuals in
political and governmental offices to the exclusion of the people. Governments
have failed to integrate and include their citizens in developing their country
and continent. The result of this
failing has created an African Union partnership that is an empty shelf in the
words of a prominent Member of the European Parliament with Governments unable
to deliver on the terms of the partnership.
Africa is the richest
Continent measured in terms of natural and human resources; yet Africans are
forced to leave their home countries in search of economic opportunities due to
the lack of effective governance. This reality on the ground paints a
conclusive picture of the failings of African Governments and the African Union
collectively. Some academics and writers on African affairs argue that the engagement of the African Union in peace keeping missions in Africa is a positive indicator of success. This view appears short sighted as it ignores the root causes of conflict in the first place. Africa has self imposed leaders whose main interest is the embezzlement of public funds that is spent and banked abroad. The African Union exists to protect members’ personal interests rather than the interest of unity and recovery from the backwardness imposed through commercial, slave trading and direct colonialisation in Africa.
It is an open secret
that most African Head of States are dictators with many in political power directly
since the 1980s. Others maintain
strangle holds over their countries through cronies. The struggles against
colonial domination and apartheid have not yielded the dividends that were
envisaged by all of those engaged to free Africa.
Examples
Include
Sacrifices made to end apartheid
in South Africa by Steve Biko Pa Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela amongst
others ended political apartheid in South Africa but, economic apartheid deepens
to prevent South Africans to enjoy the gains of political equality.
Sacrifices made by
Ugandans to end dictatorship under General Idi Amin are yet to deliver
democracy and sustainable socio-economic development for Uganda. The leader of
the guerrilla army that removed Idi Amin continues to hold Ugandans hostage for
the personal contributions that he made over twenty years ago. Women of Africa
stand with Ugandan Journalists who are now standing against their modern day
dictator’s imposition of his son on Uganda after he retires. Nigerians face
untold inhumanity and untimely deaths from their governments and cronies who
manipulates the electoral, governmental and security processes to meet
international expectations.
Fifty
years of political independence from colonial masters is that
individually, African nations continue to manipulate electoral processes to
meet international calls for world democracy; thus alienating Africans whose
participation in the political socio-economic recovery process would deliver
the African Dream. Collectively, the African Union represents the interest and
unity of Africa’s head of governments who are using every means
The
Way Forward:
The international
community need to insist on an end to centuries of impunity against Africans; Africa
is richer than most continents in the world and therefore should not expect to
receive International aid for Africa’s development. Global partnerships should
impose compliance with international standards by African Heads of State.
The deepening backwardness
of Africa in the 21st century necessitates a change of tactics by
the United Nations, European Union and other world bodies who are actively
engaging with the African Union. United Nations should be about united peoples
instead of just the few in position of advantage. The growing threat of global
terror is an indication of the need to change world consciousness in favour of
Civil Society women’s right of engagement in the decision-making process.
It is time to encourage
and recognise the creation of Civil Society women structures that would to a
large extend dilute the failing political governments in Africa. The recent
World Bank Review suggested that Africa is growing economically; it is grossly
misleading to equate paper growth and/or growth achieved through foreign
investment as Africa growing economically. It is not a secret that the celebrated
emerging market and economic growth is to the exclusion of Africans in their
own land and Continent.
It is not possible to
achieve sustainable peace, stability, good governance, transparency, protection
of human rights and true democracy in Africa without the active engagement of
Africans themselves in the process.
African governments
must create the enabling environment for Africans to step into the vast
opportunity for production and the trade available in Africa.
Fifty years after the
creation of the OAU (now African Union), Africa is still struggling and
Africans are still trotting the globe in search of food and safety. It is time
to support the creation of an African women’s commission to represent Civil Society.
The African Union has failed to meet the
aspirations of Africans 50 years on and the necessities of the 21st
Century.
The realisation of
reform and progress can only be through the recognition of African women by the
international community, as equal stakeholders in African and world affairs at civil
society level..
Women Of Africa (WOA) is working to raise the profile of African women onto the international level for Africa’s reform. African women are decision makers in their homes and communities by tradition and continue to represent the economic survival of the African continent. The international community continues to not recognise the important role of African women commensurately on the international stage. Sexual violence, exclusion from national and international affairs is amongst the woes African women are suffering due to their loss of status through immature globalisation.
Women Of Africa (WOA) is working to raise the profile of African women onto the international level for Africa’s reform. African women are decision makers in their homes and communities by tradition and continue to represent the economic survival of the African continent. The international community continues to not recognise the important role of African women commensurately on the international stage. Sexual violence, exclusion from national and international affairs is amongst the woes African women are suffering due to their loss of status through immature globalisation.
Contact us by email: ukokoA@gmail.com