战略与国际研究中心-Africa-Notes_-Where-Does-the-OAU-Go-From-Here__12页_1mb

OAU Crisis Summary: "Where Does the OAU Go From Here?"

Core Content

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) faced a significant crisis in 1982 when it failed to achieve the required quorum for its annual Assembly of Heads of State, scheduled to be held in Tripoli, Libya. This failure marked the first time in the OAU's 19-year history that the summit could not be convened, highlighting deep internal divisions and the impact of external pressures on African unity.

Main Issues and Contradictions

1. Western Sahara Membership Controversy

• Admission of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR): The SADR, a self-proclaimed state representing the Polisario movement, was admitted to the OAU in February 1982, despite not being recognized by many member states.
• Procedural Dispute: The admission was seen as a violation of the 1981 Nairobi summit resolution, which had called for a UN-monitored referendum in the Western Sahara to determine the territory's future.
• Reactions to Admission:
  • Morocco: Refused to attend the summit, arguing that the admission of the SADR was illegal and politically inopportune.
  • Several States: Walked out of the February 1982 Addis Ababa Council of Ministers meeting in protest.
  • Guinea: President Touré criticized the admission, calling it a "geographic reality" and a "tool of a country in the service of a national policy designed to bring Africa under subjugation."
  • Ghana: J.J. Rawlings emphasized the importance of the OAU as a forum for dialogue and warned against its destruction.
  • Nigeria: President Shagari supported the SADR's struggle against Moroccan expansionism but opposed its full membership, citing the example of SWAPO in Namibia.

2. Controversial Secretary-General Edem Kodjo

• Kodjo's Actions: He admitted the SADR based on the claim that it had received recognition from more than half of the OAU members, bypassing the implementation committee.
• Criticism: Many states, including Libya, Sudan, and others, accused Kodjo of violating the OAU Charter and undermining African unity.
• Defense: Kodjo described himself as a "scapegoat" and "victim," emphasizing that the admission was an administrative matter under his authority.

3. External Pressures and Internal Divisions

• Morocco's Position: Refused to attend the summit, claiming that the SADR's admission was an illegal act and that it would not participate until the issue was resolved.
• Libya's Role: President Qaddafi was accused of being a tool of imperialism and of undermining African unity. Despite this, he remained a key figure in the OAU and was part of the committee formed to re-convene the summit.
• U.S. Involvement: Some states, like Morocco and Somalia, alleged that the U.S. had bribed certain leaders to boycott the summit.
• Sudan's Criticism: President Jafar al-Numeri accused Qaddafi of conspiring against African unity.

Key Information

• Quorum Failure: Only about 30 member states attended the Tripoli summit, far below the required two-thirds majority.
• SADR Admission: The admission of the SADR sparked a major rift, with several states walking out of meetings and others boycotting the summit.
• Committee Formed: A committee of heads of state was established to attempt to re-convene the summit before the end of the year.
• Leaders' Positions:
  • Algeria, Angola, Burundi, and others: Recognized the SADR and supported the OAU's continued existence.
  • Senegal, Ivory Coast, and others: Refused to attend the summit, citing procedural violations and a desire to preserve African unity.
  • Ghana, Nigeria, and others: Advocated for dialogue and the preservation of the OAU as a vital institution.
• Proposed Solutions: Some leaders suggested holding an informal meeting among "elder statesmen" or amending the OAU Charter to reduce ambiguities and enhance administrative and financial structures.

Implications

• The crisis underscored the fragility of the OAU and the challenges it faced in maintaining unity and coherence.
• It revealed the influence of external powers and the internal political struggles within member states.
• The failure to achieve a quorum raised concerns about the OAU's ability to function effectively and represent the continent's interests on the global stage.