From: jama@austin.ibm.com (Jama Barreh)
Subject: Re: IPS:SOMALIA: OAU NEEDS MECHANISM TO DEAL WITH CONFLICTS
Originator: jama@inetnode.austin.ibm.com
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:47:23 GMT
Reply-To: ...@cs.utexas.edu:ibmchs!auschs!aspencer.austin.ibm.com!aspencer
Organization: IBM Advanced Workstation Division


In article <BzIpsn.5Mt@ddsw1.mcs.com>, barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart) writes:> 
> nairobi, dec 12 (ips) -- 
> 
> but critics see the oau as having turned into a talking-shop
> in view of raging wars in liberia, rwanda, somalia and sudan
> among other areas of strife. new flash points of conflict always
> come with outflows of thousands of refugees, a burden which
> countries of asylum can hardly bear without external support.

   IMHO , there are two alternatives open to African countries;
 1) Disband the OAU . Form new organization with stronger purpose ,
well-defined goals and a way to deal with internal conflicts. It
should have a military branch that is capable of intervention. It
should have economic development branch that can steer member nations to
interdependce rather than dependce on western world. And above all 
It should have an education department that will insure that African
children are not left behind. It is not even far-fetched to think 
about an African University which has branches all over the 
continent. 
    The reason I think that OAU should be disbanded is because I believe
there is no way that the OAU can recover from its bad image. It is dead.
Also disbanding the OAU will shock people into reality and may be energize
young Africans into participation.   
 2) The second alternative is , throw away the current charter of the OAU.
 This is basically the same as the 1st alternative  with the added disadvantage
 of bad image. It better than nothing.  
   
 
> intellectuals here argue that the failure of the oau to find
> a solution to the somali conflict harbingers the demise of the
> organisation whose usefulness they are increasingly begining to
> question.

It does not take an intellectual (whatever that may be) to realize that
the OAU's ineffectiveness was underscored by its failure to even raise
the question of Somalia at UN let alone among its members.
 
> the dynamism with which the oau was characterised in the
> 1960s and 1970s during national liberation struggles has faded
> away.

Africans should realize that they are not FREE by any measure of the
word. How can you be free if you can not feed , educate, or house your
children? Africans should realize that this decade might be the defining
decade for the future of Africa. We will be left behind for long time to
come or will emerge as strong force to be contended with. 
 Africa is a rich continent , yet its children die of starvation.  


 
> ''if we could contribute funds to train freedom fighters, how
> can we be so weak-kneed today that the question of somalia is
> not raised for years while thousands die?'' asks dr. eric
> masinde of kenyatta university.

We are lacking PURPOSE. We are lacking leadership.
 
> according to the u.n. environmental programme's outgoing
> executive director, dr. mostafa tolba, africa's development
> partners have adopted an attitude of charity and african
> countries have succumbed to an attitude of dependency.

It is sad but true. Corrupt heads of state do not care how they get
their income , even if it means selling the country , their soul and
their pride. 

 Finally , Africa will have hope , when its young people wake up and realize
that FREEDOM is not yet achieved. It is good to be proud that we are Africans 
and have a great history but we should realize we are making history today.
This current generation of Africans have nothing to leave but FAILURES.  






Newsgroups: soc.culture.african