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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The role of OAU in the democratisation process: a case of lack of clear-cut policies and political will towards an open society
Author:Mulei, Christopher
Year:1994
Periodical:Annual conference - African Society of International and Comparative Law
Volume:6
Pages:56-72
Language:English
Geographic term:Africa
Subjects:democracy
African organizations
Abstract:The OAU cannot be an effective instrument to achieve the much talked-about African unity necessary to develop security, economic prosperity and democratization in Africa unless there is the political will and a clear-cut commitment to the tenets of an open society. But most African leaders do not encourage freedom and development. This article examines the institutional and ideological weaknesses of the OAU. It first considers the OAU Charter, identifying the principle guaranteeing 'respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State' as a serious obstacle to the effectiveness of the OAU in settling conflicts between member States. It is also notes that the OAU was not set up to promote Africa's security requirements, but was designed primarily to resolve the issue of southern Africa. Secondly, the article examines the role of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and argues that it can only be an effective instrument in the democratization process if civil society institutions are created. The weaknesses of the Charter include a lack of independence on the part of some of the members of the African Commission established under the Charter, and the fact that the Charter is not designed to remedy individual violations of human rights. Ref.
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