New Delhi: Every year on May 25, Africa Day is celebrated in the continent and also in the rest of the world. The day commemorates the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. The organisation played a crucial role in the progress of the African continent and in battling its issues. On July 9, 2002, the organisation was replaced by the African Union.
Why was the Organisation of African Unity founded?
In May 1963, the OAU was established in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa. The founding members were 32 African countries whose main objective was to bring the nations in the continent together and solve the problems Africa was facing.
What were the objectives of the organisation?
The Organisation of African Unity was established with the following aims:
To increase the cooperation of African nations to achieve a better life for the people of Africa and to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the nations on the continent.
Africa had been ailed by the effects of colonialism and its after-effects persist even today. The OAU was established to wipe out all kinds of colonialism and white minority rule that existed on the continent. Notably, during the time of its establishment, there were many nations which were yet to get their freedom from the colonial forces. The organisation resolved to protect the interests of independent African nations and help to free those who were still colonised and would ensure neutrality in world affairs, preventing its members from being controlled once more by outside powers.
The OAU also aimed to improve the living conditions of all Africans, to ensure that everyone on the continent enjoyed human rights, and to settle arguments and disputes between members by means of peace and diplomacy.
Why was the organisation disbanded?
The OAU did not have an armed force like that of the UN and hence, could not enforce its decisions. Also, it was unwilling to meddle in the internal affairs of member nations. Due to its ineffectiveness, the organisation was disbanded on July 9, 2002, by its last chairman Thabo Mbeki who was also the President of South Africa and it was replaced by the African Union (AU).
Africa Day commemorates the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. The organisation played a crucial role in the progress of the African continent. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
