Charter of the Organization of African Unity and Problems of African Unity

Abstract

African unity is a genuine desire of African peoples on the continent itself and the surrounding islands. It is a spark turned on by Africans in diaspora through Pan-Africanism, in opposition to the denial of self-determination of African peoples by colonialism and imperialism. Traditionally, the Africans were introverted in their political activities while contacts with the outsiders were a secondary variable. With the struggles against subjugation came the perception that the totality of Africa had a common front, hence the desire for unity. However the ensuing Organization of African Unity formed in 1963 became a leaders-centered community and not a grass-roots organization. The O.A.U. is actually an "Organization of African States" not of "African Unity" according to the Charter prescriptions. This paper thus calls for the need to set the matter straight.