OAU At 30: Reflections on the Past and Prospects for the Future

Dr. Salim reflects on 30 years of the Organization of the African Unity.

"This is a crucial juncture for the Organization and its Secretariat. Africa is emerging with difficulty from a phase in its history which focussed mainly on political liberation and nation-building, and is about to embark on a new era - a second liberation - of laying greater emphasis on economic development through the African Economic Community and of political governance. Clearly, there is a great need to strengthen t.he OAU and its Secretariat so that it is made an effective and efficient instrument in the service of Africa in its quest for peace, economic development and integration. The Secretariat will have to be reformed to face these challenges. It has to be strengthened to render it capable of discharging its present and new mandates. Some of the most important changes will include a review of the structure of the Organization to ensure increased efficiency of the Secretariat to implement the decisions and resolutions adopted by the legislative organs of the Organization." - Dr. Salim, May 25, 1993