From the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union

109 Pages·2016·0.85 MB·English

From the Organisation of African Unity
to the African Union:

From a policy of non-interference to a policy of
non-indifference?

Mari Hushagen Langerud

Masters thesis, Department of Archaeology, Conservation
and History. Faculty of Humanities.

UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

14.05.2016

Words: 34.500
Supervisor(s): Karin Dokken and Ingrid Lundestad.
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From the Organisation of African Unity to the
African Union:
From a policy of non-interference to
a policy of non-indifference?

Mari Hushagen Langerud

Masters thesis, Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History. Faculty of
Humanities.

UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

14.05.2016

Words: 34.500
Supervisor(s): Karin Dokken and Ingrid Lundestad.

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© Mari Hushagen Langerud
2016
From the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union:
From a policy of non-interference to a policy of non-indifference?
Mari Hushagen Langerud
http://www.duo.uio.no/
Trykk: Reprosentralen, Universitetet i Oslo
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Abstract

The subject for this thesis is the change from a policy of non-interference to non-indifference
between the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and its successor, the Africa Union (AU).
The purpose of the thesis is to explore explanatory factors for the different approaches to
respectively a non-interference policy, by the OAU, and a non-indifference policy by the AU.
The term non-interference refers to the absence of foreign interference in national
affairs, in this case where the OAU deliberately maintained a policy of not interfering with its
members' internal affairs through interventionist actions. The term non-indifference hence
refers to the approach of the AU, where the organisation on several occasions, with varied
tools and approaches, have interfered in its members' internal affairs.
The OAU stated early that one aim for the organisation was non-interference. The
charter had descriptions and processes on mediation, condemnation and peaceful processes,
but the policy was to stay out of the neighbour's internal affairs as much as possible. During
its existence from 1963 to 2002, the organisation engaged in conflicts on just a few occasions.
The AU has taken a different approach and has intervened to support constitutional
political change, provide military interventions, and initiated several attempts to establish
peace or end conflict through mediation and peace talks. In other words, an active role
compared to what the OAU took. This change is interesting in itself, but so far, little research
has been done on why the transition from one organisation to the other changed the policy
from non-interference to non-indifference and why the change occurs. Relevant here has slo
been to investigate the question of what time period this policy change takes place.
This thesis intends to first see how the OAU was established as a result of the Pan-
African movement, and how the organisation followed a policy of non-interference as a
guideline for the relations between the member states. Further, it will examine how the
transition towards a policy of non-indifference in the OAU developed before it was replaced
by the AU in 2002, seen in light of emerging changes internationally, and why the policy
change occurred.
The thesis has been written based on mainly original documents from the
organisations themselves and the United Nations, with the supplement of secondary literature
when applicable. Some documents are retrieved from the AUC Library at the African Union's
headquarter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Acknowledgement
Handing in this thesis marks the end of a five year long journey and several people deserves
eternal gratitude, applause, and a decent amount of champagne.
Firstly to my supervisors. Karin Dokken, for all your valuable feedback, good conversations,
ideas, encouragement, extensive knowledge of Africa, and the open-door policy through the
process. You are really one of a kind. The same gratitude I feel to my co-supervisor Ingrid
Lundestad, who through valuable guidance managed to put my ideas into a context suitable
for historians.
To the Library and Archives Unit of the African Union, Addis Ababa, for valuable help
during my stay, and maneuvering in decades of history.
To my parents for being supportive even when you, surely, must have questioned the sanity of
your offspring. For teaching me to enjoy books, what it means to work for something, what
responsibility is, building my confidence, and all good conversations along the way.
To my brother, for always questioning my sanity, for rarely agreeing with me, for always
making me laugh, inspiring me to work harder and have more fun.
To fellow Pecosians, for two well spent years of shared fun and anguish on the 9th floor. We
made it, at last.
To my friends. Those in Zimbabwe, who opened my eyes to Africa. For those at home being
so patient, ignoring my mood swings over the last few months and for never giving up the
social invitations. Ingrid for never losing faith, the shared paranoia, and for always telling me
that I am smarter than I think. Thank you Mari and Sara for the best hugs and an open door in
Hamar, and to Linn and Bente for never saying no to wine and dine.
Espen, thank you for keeping up with me these two years with ups, downs and distance. I
promise that I will keep quiet about Africa now. At least for a week.

Lastly, I wish to dedicate this to my grandfather Lars. I miss you every day.
Oslo, 14.05.16
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