AU/OAU 50 Anniversary Rekindles the Pan African Spirit and Hope for the Continent

A photo of the founding fathers of OAU at AU Hall, Addis

Africa has just marked the 50th Anniversary since the African Union/Organization of African Unity was founded 50 years ago on May 25, 1963. The continental organization, for decades known as the OAU became AU in 2002.

The week long celebrations at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which peaked on May 25, 2013 with the AU Summit bringing together 118 heads of state and governments from both Africa and the rest of the world brought poignant memories of the 1960s of hope after a number of countries attained independence. 

The founding of the OAU in 1963 marked an important turning point for Africa with a number of nationalist leaders who had led their countries to independence from the colonial powers making a determined push for continental unity. 

The first few years were filled with hope and energy that the giant continent would unite and launch into the path of democratic governance, social and economic development. 

Haile Selasie of Ethiopia.

But a few years later, Africa was to witness violent coups and counter-coups, bad governance, ethnic rivalry, plunder of its resources and civil wars which have left the continent wounded. 

But 50 years on, there is renewed hope for Africa despite continuing problems in a number of countries. Military coups are now fewer, virtually all African countries have attained their independence from the colonial powers and some of the most enduring civil wars have ended in peace agreements. 

Patrice Lumumba of DRC Congo

The theme of the 50^th Anniversary Celebrations; “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance” could not have captured the prevailing mood better as there is renewed hope for unity,  peace, democracy and socio-economic development in most parts or countries of Africa. 

True problems continue in a number of countries including Somalia, Congo DRC, Mali, Sudan and Southern Sudan, Central African Republic, among others, but there are also concerted efforts within AU and the international community to deal with both the political and humanitarian challenges through dialogue, which are paying dividends.

Dialogue ended Africa’s longest running civil war in Sudan, resulting in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which provided for the eventual cession of South Sudan from the Sudan. Teething problems between the two countries have are being dealt largely through negotiations under the auspices of the AU and the regional Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). 

Mwalim Julius Nyerere  of Tanzania

 

 

There is more political, social and economic engagement among African countries both at the bilateral level and within the framework of the various regional bodies such as East African Community (EAC) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others.

Africa is redefining its partnership and framework of engagement with the global community, including the US, Western Europe, China, Asia, and Latin America. Challenges remain but clearly, Africa is experiencing renewal.

The challenges of improving governance and democratic rule, service delivery, infrastructure, trade and consolidating unity remain but the 50^th Anniversary was also a time to take stock and plan strategies for moving forward.

Anti- Apartheid icon Nelson Mandela

    

There is growing worry over resurgence of interest in Africa and its resources. There is renewed competition between Western Europe, the US and the Chinese. 

During the AU Summit, there was a large delegation from China and also from the West, competing for attention and lobbying on the sidelines of the celebrations. Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia led an attack on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of haranguing African leaders. They led the process of passing a resolution calling for the referral of the cases facing Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, William Ruto to Kenya's courts claiming there was no justice at the global level.

Below: The AU headquarters built with the assistance of the Chinese whose influence is growing in Africa.