Reflections on Organisation of African Unity

Rajen Harshe In May 1988 the Organisation of African Unity will be celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. Since its birth the OAU has been vulnerable to powerful divisive forces, both endogenous as well as exogenous. The endogenous forces have primarily stemmed from diverse foreign policy orientations of the member states, border disputes, ethnic and nationality problems. Ethnic secessionist movements have damaged internal cohesion within states and inter-state relations as well. The involvement of exogenous forces such as the neo-colonial manoeuvring of erstwhile colonial powers and superpower rivalry have further divided the member states. In this crisis-ridden situation the OAU has survived, demonstrating a commendable staying power.