On Wednesday in Cotonou, Beninese academics hailed the progress made by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union (AU), over the 60 years of its existence, while calling on African leaders to take a dynamic approach to meet the continent’s challenges.
The researchers pointed out that “since its creation in 1963, the OAU (which became) the AU in 2002, the pan-African institution, which has made some notable advances, is experiencing serious financial, political, democratic and strategic difficulties”. They, therefore, called for the gains made to be capitalized on to meet the challenges of the continent’s development.
Addressing a symposium focusing on the 60th anniversary of the OAU/AU, which ended on Wednesday in Cotonou, the resident representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Amadou Diongue, said that the OAU/AU had made a significant contribution to the development of the continent.
Amadou Diongue noted that the OAU had been able to fulfill its contract to liberate the continent from the yoke of colonialism, put an end to apartheid, and ensure peace and security, adding that the founding fathers of the OAU had set several objectives, including strengthening the unity and solidarity of member states, defending the sovereignty and integrity of territories, and finally eliminating all forms of colonization in Africa.
Gérard Aivo, professor of public law at the University of Abomey-Calavi, pointed out that one of the shortcomings of the OAU is the failure to achieve the objective of the economic integration of the continent, which is one of the objectives of the AU.
In this regard, Mr. Aivo pointed out that the acceleration of the continent’s political and socio-economic integration has made significant progress, particularly in the political and peacekeeping spheres. However, he deplored the fact that the pan-African institution was still unable to curb the rise in terrorist movements affecting several African countries.