FIRST ANNIVERSARY O.A.U.
A
momentous year ago this day, in a supreme moment of great historical vision,
thirty African leaders undid the tangled knot of injustices bequeathed from
long and shadowy years of colonialism. Thus was the Organization of African
Unity born.
In its wake not
only were vast vistas of challenges and opportunities opened but also a
stirring hope and sober recognition has dawned on Africa; a faith and a
determination that, immense as are the challenges that lie ahead, they shall
all be conquered, and abundant as are the opportunities that await us, they
shall not be wasted.
Significantly also, with the birth of the
Organization, the unmaking of history in Africa – the decolonization process –
which was initiated by the struggle of the African peoples themselves has been
given an added, nay, a decisive momentum. For the first time Africa has learned
what strength there is in unity. Thus, we are witnessing the glorious march of
Africa on the path of Unity.
The past year has been one of reflection
and intensive stock-taking. All organs of the Organization have met to lay
strong groundworks for our future efforts. Now that this useful phase of work
has been completed, we have to resolve that the coming year is the period of
decisive take-off. Considering the magnitude of the pressing problems facing
Africa, it is inevitable that we will have to proceed forthwith at an
accelerated pace.
The pattern for bold and imaginative
projects on a continental scale has been set by the establishment of the
African Development Bank, the idea of which was of purely African initiative,
now reaching the stage of operation with the assistance of the United Nations
and a number of friendly foreign powers. We are confident that in the very near
future Africa will be the site for the “launchings” of other such beneficial
inter-African projects.
In the political domain the year was not without incidents. The
likelihood of yet others arising cannot be ignored. But is it not in
recognition of this that the Organization was created? The peace and order
which we all desire to see in Africa cannot certainly be envisaged without
handicaps. What is important is that, in keeping with the auspicious beginnings
we have made, if disputes break out amongst us, we insulate them from the cold
war and seek their solutions within the Councils of the family. We should
attach as much importance to the process and mechanism of finding solutions to
our disputes as to the solutions themselves, to set a precedent for
co-operation in the future.
Real Test
The Algerian-Moroccan conflict in a way provided the first opportunity
to put to a real test the mechanism for constructive diplomacy which we had so
laboriously and painstakingly built at Addis Ababa. Thanks to their political
wisdom and their eagerness to listen to family counsels, the hostilities that
so suddenly bedevilled relations between the two brotherly African countries
have ceased altogether. The Special Commission created by the meeting of our
Foreign Ministers has not spared any effort in its search for a mutually
acceptable solution.
Likewise in the Ethiopian-Somali conflict, both parties have shown their
readiness to seek within the OAU such solutions for their differences. The
direct contacts that have recently been established between Ethiopia and the
Somali Republic in Khartoum have already produced beneficial results. A Joint
Commission is currently engaged in supervizing the withdrawal of troops to
fifteen kilometers on both sides of the border, thus strengthening the
ceasefire arrangements recommended by the Council of Ministers. What remains
now is to carry still further the momentum thus generated by this limited but
nevertheless very auspicious agreement.
The collective response of African countries to the request of President
Nyerere to examine the situation that had arisen in Tanganyika and East Africa
as a result of army mutinies has led to the first concrete result in the field
of co-operation in defence matters. This achievement is a significant herald to
yet more useful results to come in inter-African co-operation.
Last
year, we remarked that what we Africans lacked was the mechanism which would
enable us to speak with one voice and to act in unison. Today, we have the OAU
as the authentic voice of a new and united and ever-progressive Africa. Its
achievements of this past year should spur us on to continue unflinchingly our
dedication to realize the noble aspirations of the peoples of our Continent.
May 26, 1964.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie
– page 259 –
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