CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Sarah Tanou, Burkina-Faso, July 1998
THEME = INTERNAT.ORGAN.
Burkina Faso's President, Blaise Compaoré,
took over the chairmanship of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
from Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President,
at the OAU's 34th summit held in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, 1-10 June 1998.
This summit was marked by unforeseen events
which caused a decisive swing in the life of the OAU
The Burkinabe people and their President felt very honoured by the holding of the 34th OAU summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - "the land of incorruptible people". In his speech of welcome, President Blaise Compaoré said: "My people welcome the decision to hold the 34th OAU summit in Ouagadougou as a token of confidence and friendship on the part of their African brethren".
The President also pointed to the fact that "In recent years, much has been said about the marginalisation of Africa in the world" and he expressed the wish that "this summit in Ouagadougou may contribute to strengthening our pledge for building a more united and stronger Africa". By organising this summit, Burkina Faso, wished to bring about a change in the OAU.
After 35 years of existence and on the eve of the 21st century, the OAU ought to provide Africans with new cohesion for concrete action, and provide appropriate solutions to the numerous challenges facing the continent. "Our founding fathers have left us a priceless heritage. Today's world situation and specifically, Africa's current situation, calls for a revision of the OAU's Charter. This means Africa and the OAU must be prepared to accept change or at the very least, necessary adjustments and more rational ways of working. In order to come to terms with the new world order - that of globalisation, the OAU's general secretariat needs to accept new structures. Also, the OAU must be prepared to take on board a new vision of social and economic development and opt for better solutions. Only thus will peace, stability, security - indispensable elements for ensuring lasting integral development in Africa - be achieved."
Two months before the opening of the summit, President Compaoré did the rounds of his fellow heads of state and urged them to come to Ouagadougou. Their presence was essential for decision-making concerning Africa's future - an Africa which refuses to be marginalised any longer.
There was a record attendance at this 34th summit. From 8-10 June, twenty-eight heads of state and government plus a representative from Western Sahara gathered in Ouagadougou. In spite of President Abacha's sudden death in Nigeria which loomed over the summit, Burkina Faso was able to rise to the occasion. President Nelson Mandela, in his final term of office, took leave of his fellow heads of state. This and the presence of a record number of personalities gave the summit a particular character.
Major Buyoya of Burundi and Chairman Yasser Arafat of Palestine took the opportunity to press their claims. Buyoya appealed against the embargo which is weighing heavily on his country, causing more and more victims. He appealed for the badly needed support of his fellow heads of state so that his country does not go under. Arafat, whose political career is closely linked to Africa, urged Africa to rally to the cause of the Palestinian people. He wants to win strong support against Israel which is questioning the Oslo Agreements. A priority in the summit debates was the on-going conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea
It was hoped that the Ouagadougou summit would be an opportunity to really get down to the nitty-gritty of Africa's problems so as to arrive at well though-out decisions. Debates and evaluations were to take precedence over empty and endless speeches. A main theme was suggested: "What does it mean to be an African in the 21st century?".
After due refection, participants had to accept that Africa's position among the nations of the world is none too brilliant. Economically-speaking, Africa never seems to have been able to get off the ground; amongst all the world's continents, because of lack of democracy, Africa is the worst governed; Africa is a continent of tribal and fratricidal wars, of conflicts and of genocides; it's a continent of poverty and underdevelopment. There are enough examples to illustrate this sad picture. Africans enter the 21st century as poor and miserable people.
However sad this assessment and however enormous the challenge lying ahead, Africans remain confident they can change this state of affairs. If only they can get down to solving the continent's fundamental problems, then success will result.
They hold many trump cards: Africa is a rich continent, with enormous underground resources, open-air mineral reserves (e.g. Congo RDC has all kinds of minerals) and an abundant and inexpensive workforce. Africa can assume its own responsibilities without relying on external support. Success in the enterprise depends on adequate educational and training facilities. You simply can't do without these.
It would be unpardonable if Africa were to enter the 21st century still holding out the begging bowl either in the form of development aid or still relying on foreigners to "give a hand" in certain development projects. For Africa, the 21st century must be a century of hope, of economic wealth, of proper government, of democracy - only then will the continent be assuming its own development.
So as to be in a position to renew itself, the 34th OAU summit had to bring about some changes and amend some texts, in particular the OAU Charter which no longer responded to today's situations. A number of practical questions were put under the microscope and a number of solutions found, such as the setting-up of an African Court of Human Rights. Likewise, the decision to unilaterally lift the air sanctions on Libya (for humanitarian, religious reasons); to lift the economic sanctions against Burundi, on condition that the parties to the conflict meet for negotiations and find a positive way out during this present summit.
The heads of state were not able to agree on everything, and a number of matters were re-scheduled for discussion at a meeting of Foreign Ministers to be held in February 1999. Included in this agenda will be Western Sahara's withdrawal from the OAU and Morocco's return to the same body. Another matter still up for discussion is the commission of inquiry into the genocide in Rwanda. Four years have now past since the 1994 genocide and no practical steps have been seriously taken to get to the bottom of what really happened.
All in all, the Ouagadougou summit marked a turning point in the OAU's existence. Priority was given to economic problems with particular stress laid on the emergence of strengthened regional integration, because individually, African countries are very fragile. Opening up towards neighbours is a "must" in order to escape being continually marginalised.
A number of predominant sectors of the economy need to be developed such as transport, communications and telecommunications. During the period of the summit, participants were able to visit an exhibition dealing with modern communications and information technology. Internal security is also of prime importance and all heads of states consider that this presupposes sound management and government.
On-the-spot decisions were taken such as the immediate dispatching of special envoys to Ethiopia and Eritrea. This mission was entrusted to the OAU's new Chairman, Blaise Compaoré, plus the OAU Secretary-General, Salim Ahmed Salim, and other eminent personalities.
A long road is ahead! But, "in spite of apparent divisions and much debating, the OAU has progressively built up Africa's unity", noted Nelson Mandela, the dean of African heads of states.
Recent African history recognises the OAU's achievement in this respect, but much remains to be done: the democratic process is declining in some countries and drifting away from democracy resulting in bloodshed. From 1960 up to our present day, Africa has experienced more than thirty major conflicts creating misery, millions of deaths and millions of refugees. And yet, the OAU's basic texts do not give the organisation any power to intervene in conflicts which explode daily in Africa.
It's high time that Africans set in motion a feasible framework for preventing, controlling and settling such conflicts. For strengthening co-operation, integration and development. The OAU must encourage all democracies and help Africans attain democratic maturity.
Next rendezvous: Algiers in 1999.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1998 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement