by Dumisani Kumalo, Zimbabwe, September 1997
THEME = OAU
28 Presidents and three Prime Ministers attended the Summit, and these re-elected Salim Ahmed Salim as the OAU's Secretary- General and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe as chairman, replacing President Paul Biya of Cameroon.
Leaders present at the Summit, pledged themselves to protect human rights and re-establish prospects for sustainable development. There was a unanimous condemnation of the coup in Sierra Leone and of the sanctions taken against Libya. The conflicts in the Great Lakes Region, the on-going conflicts in Somalia and Sudan, the present instability in Angola and on a happier note, Liberia's attempts to bring democracy to that war-torn country, all came under the Summit's spotlight. Africa's leaders also agreed on a common platform, in the establishment of the African Court of Human Rights, and elected three Commissioners to serve, coming from Tunisia, South Africa and Egypt.
The question of sanctions imposed against certain countries was brought up. UN sanctions are still in force against Libya, and Summit participants suggested a neutral venue to try the accused in the Lockerbie bomb affair.
The Summit recognised that the ordinary citizens of Burundi are suffering because of the economic sanctions against that country. Surely, in the long run, this cannot help the peace process!
The Summit pinpointed areas of potential conflict within the African continent. Food problems come first; followed by land disputes, problems arising from international boundaries cutting across traditional tribal lands, over-emphasis on tribal allegiance when the interests of the tribe are placed before the national interest.
The Summit expressed anxiety that the rural poor, who after all, constitute over 70% of Africa's population, have not yet understood the meaning of democracy. Neither do they appreciate that in any democratic society, the individual has certain rights which must be maintained. A majority of Africa's population are still being manipulated by a minority privileged group. Millions still lack basic conditions such as education, health facilities and food.
A deliberate effort is needed to make the proposed African
Economic Community (AEC) a success.
Great importance was attached to trying to find a solution to Africa's refugee crisis. No immediate answer is to be found as it seems as if Africa is moving in a vicious circle with refugees seeking to integrate themselves into a society, which in no way is prepared or able to receive them, and which, is itself, largely dependent on outside help in order to exist.
END