The Organization of African Unity History and Goals essays

The Organization of African Unity History and Goals essays The Organization of the African Unity is both the symbol and embodiment of age-old Pan-African yearnings that found remarkable expression in the 19th Century epics of scattered Africa Communities all over the world. A movement of self-assertin in its early days, Pan-Africanism evolved progressively into an organized force with cultural and political claims especially after World War II when it took on a continental dimension. At that time, African leaders disagreed about what the organization should be. Some leaders pushed for the creation of a central government that would unite all of Africa under one authority. However, most of the African nations had just recently gained independence from colonial rule and their leaders opposed the idea. The leaders eventually reached a compromise out in so doing created an organization that is controlled by its member nations leaving it with little power to act on its own. The Organization of African Unity was born to help strengthen ties between African nations, and settle disputes. It aso went through many problems which underminded its ability to achieve its goals. It also promoted continental peace, unity, and cooperation. The OAU works to resolve conflicts between nations and to coordinate political, econommic, cultural scientific, medical, and defense policis. The Organization of African Unity was founded in Addis Ababa on May 25, 1963. The OAU had open with 32 member nations whom which signed the Charter of the Organization by the Heads of State and Government of independent African States, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was also signed on that occasion. The first head chair of the OAU was Olympio Sylvannus. Olympio Sylvannus was born on September 6, 1902 in Agone, Togo. He was educated at the London School of Economics and later emplyed by the United African Company in 1926. He entered politics as ...