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47 OAU Members Okay African Union
Forty-seven of the 53 member states of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) have so far ratified the charter for establishing the African Union (AU), a pan-African political entity modeling on the European Union aimed at boosting development and ending conflicts across the continent.
OAU spokesman Desmond Orjiako Friday told a news conference here that the remaining six states which have not ratified the Draft Constitutive Act of African Union are Egypt, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Swaziland and one he declined to name.
He explained that although the six did not follow suit of their partners, their heads of state or government have signed the act, meeting the required number of two thirds of the OAU members.
According to Orjiako, among the 47 states, 42 have deposited their documents of ratification with the OAU headquarters.
On the 74th OAU Ordinary Session of Council Ministers which has been in session since Thursday, the OAU spokesman disclosed that the ministers are behind the closed doors busy with preparing agenda for the 37th OAU summit of heads of state or government to be opened next Monday.
Forty-two African countries including hosting Zambia have so far confirmed their participation of the landmark summit here on July 9-11 when the continental body will expectedly be transformed into the long dreamed African Union.
Most of the countries will be represented by their heads of state or government, making the Lusaka summit one of the biggest assemblies of African leaders.
"The ministers discussed the report by the OAU Secretary General Salim Ahmed Salim on the progress at the headquarters, regional and sub-regional levels," Orjiako said. "They also deliberated the implementation of the decisions reached at the extra-ordinary summit in March in Sirte, Libya."
Orjiako further disclosed that the ministers have reached consensus on many political, economic, social and cultural issues, but the most important item is about the transformation of the 38- year-old OAU into the AU.
However, on how and when the one-year transition of the OAU into the AU officially starts, he said that it is still under discussion at the three-day ministers' session and up to the summit to make decision.
The AU, initiated by Libyan leader Omar Muammar Ghaddafi in his hometown of Sirte, covers a series of political organs including the Assembly, the Executive Council and the Pan African Parliament.
It will also establish a series of financial institutions, including the African Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund and the African Investment Bank.
Founded on May 25, 1963, the OAU is designated to promote the unity and solidarity of the African states, defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of members, coordinate and intensify cooperation to achieve a better life for the people of Africa.
Following eradicating all forms of colonialism and racism from the continent, the organization has been focused on peace and development and reversion of the growing marginalization of Africa in economic globalization.
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