Theory question 110
OAU and African UnionSection B (answer two questions from this section)
Mention the aims of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and discuss some of its achievements.
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Aims (OAU Charter, 1963): promote unity and solidarity among African states; coordinate cooperation to achieve a better life for Africans; defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence; eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa; promote international cooperation in line with the UN Charter.
Achievements: helped liberate remaining colonies (Liberation Committee supported Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia); fought apartheid in South Africa; settled some border disputes (e.g. Algeria–Morocco); gave Africa a common voice in the UN; helped refugees; encouraged economic cooperation (Lagos Plan of Action 1980); peacekeeping in Chad (1981).
Note: the OAU was replaced by the African Union (AU) in 2002.
State aims briefly; spend more marks on achievements with examples.