Africa's political development. The Case of Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to African Union (AU)

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, grade: 2, University of Kassel, language: English, abstract: This section examines the historical context of the idea of African integration, the challenges it faces and the significance in global affairs. The majority of post independence African leaders supported the idea of African Union, some of them disagreed on the form and composition of such a union while a minority were suspicious of the idea because of greed or fear to lose their countries sovereignty. The proponents for the formation of a closer cooperation in Africa argued that Africa should not only serve as a source of cheap raw materials to western countries but a vibrant power in global affairs. They argued that, this idea can only be achieved if all countries bring their human and material resources together to form a united front for the interest of Africans in particular and the world at large. This idea led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 which was later transformed to the African Union (AU) in 2002.

About the author Stephen Ekokobe Awung was educated in Cameroon and Germany. He is a web developer and political analyst. He has written many critical essays and literary works that have been published in many international journals and anthologies. He is a member of the International Society of Poets. Stephen is a community organiser and executive chairman of the African People's Convention in Kassel, Germany. He is also an elected member of the foreigners' advisory council in the municipality of Kassel, Germany that represents the interest of migrants. Steeve as he is fondly called has won many awards in poetry and has also presented his literary works in many occasions in Germany.