PDP 2 - Charter of the Organisation of African Unity

Author Bio: The leaders of the independent African States wanted to draft a document that would promote peace and unity among all of the countries that had gained their independence and would gain their independence at a later time, they drafted this document to ensure that all member countries would sign it and agreee to its principles so that they could all work through this new independence together.

Date/Context: In 1963, following the end of imperialsim in the vast majority of African countries which enabled them to become independent states, the heads of these newly formed States met in Addis Abba, Ethiopia to write a charter for all of the States then and in the future to abide by, the charter itself was designed to ensure that the countries would work together to remain independent and would work with one another in their newfound independence, this document cemented the fact thst the countriee that signed it were indeed no longer under European control and were truly independent.

Summary: The Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, is a document that was created in 1963 after a large number of African states gained their independence, the document outlines the principles from which the document was founded, and gives reasons as to why it is being constructed, since not all countries had gained their independence at this time there are provisions that allow countries in the future to become members and if they so choose renounce the charter. Its foundation comes from the United Nations charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Key Quotation:

• "Determined to safeguard and consolidate the hard-won independence as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our States, and to fight against neo-colonialsim in all its forms"
• "Desirous that all African States should henceforth unite so that the welfare and well-being of their peoples can be assured;Resolved to reinforce the links between our states by establishing and strengthening common institutions;Have agreed to the present Charter."