ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY: AT A CROSSROADS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
00939253
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
11
Document Creation Date: 
February 24, 2023
Document Release Date: 
February 24, 2023
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2014-00485
Publication Date: 
May 27, 1994
File: 
Body: 
pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 NOF Directorate of Intelligence Intelligence Memorandum Office of African and Latin American Analysis 27 May 1994 Q;Bliela% Organization of African Unity: At a Crossroads (S-N-F)- 111MAY Summary South Africa's passage to black majority rule and Rwanda's descent into tribal bloodshed symbolize the crossroads that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) sioy 19,4 faces in confronting a changed array of problems. � The OAU was founded in 1963 by newly independent states concerned with eradicating the remaining colonial presence in Africa, eliminating white minority rule, and protecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity against presumed external threats.' � This year's OAU summit in Tunisia beginning on 13 June marks the end of this 30-year preoccupation with African liberation and highlights the OAU's new challenge to deal more effectively with key issues internal to Africa-- particularly ethnic conflict. (3 Nfl To make the organization more effective, OAU leaders will have to work around a number of constraints. � Its outdated charter leans against OAU involvement in member states' internal affairs, does not mention democracy, and makes little reference to human rights. � Moreover, the Rwandan crisis underscores the OAU's lack of capability�or intention�to organize and mount an African peacekeeping operation on its own. cs Nn The OAU has taken modest steps in the past three years to develop a greater capacity for addressing some of the continent's pressing difficulties, particularly in the area of conflict resolution. The potential for greater South African involvement over time may enhance the OAU's structural reform efforts, but for the foreseeable future the organization probably will continue to be overshadowed by the UN and regionally important African states. TS-f449-----_. (b)(3) CIAAct ALA M 94-20147 WARNING NOTICE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES OR METHODS INVOLVED e3 Approved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 1 The Western Sahara, once ruled by Spain, is the only former colonial territory whose status has not been resolved. No date has been set for a planned UN-supervised referendum on whether the territory should become independent or be absorbed by Morocco. (S NI) pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 Secret Changing the Guard at the June Summit The OAU will welcome South Africa as its 53rd member with considerable fanfare and make its annual change of leadership at the summit, but its most urgent task will be to ensure that the OAU plays a credible supporting role in international efforts to deal with Rwanda.2 In honor of Nelson Mandela, the summit conferees may select Pretoria to host the 1995 OAU summit, which would make the new South African President the OAU Chairman for 1995-96. Tunisian President Ben Ali is scheduled to become the OAU Chairman for the coming year. Key Issues Facing the OAU South Africa's Impact. At least in the near term, it is our judgment that South African participation in OAU affairs--beyond lending the organization greater prestige by virtue of its membership�will not provide the concrete resources that most observers agree the OAU needs. Most indications are that President Mandela's government of national unity will take a go-slow approach toward its reemergence on the international scene. 2 OAU foreign ministers meet from 8 to 11 June to set the agenda for the summit in Tunisia to be held 13-15 June. 11-34E). This memorandum was prepared hy Analysis. Contributions were provided h�,, Analyis. and by and queries are welcome and may he directed to (U) It.thiffioceffiocef AoffriLceaadn a ne i.sdh Li pa tAi n n aAl ymseiri can is C)ffice of African and Latin American Chief, Regional Issues Group. ALA (b)(1) (b)(3) NatSecAct (b)(1) (b)(3) NatSecAct (b)(3) CIAAct (b)(6) 2 Secret Approved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 ret NOFPC Sccret pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 ret NOF 4 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 � ret NOF �NR Sccrct iimiApproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 � 2017/11/16 C00939253 'Swret NOFCA 6 limilmommimmiApproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 ret NOF 7 C pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 Approved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 mimimApproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 NOFO 9 mmApproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253 -*NKr 16,... NOFO NR 10 pproved for Release: 2017/11/16 C00939253