1、1 All African states are members except for Morocco, which withdrew over the organizationsstance on the Western Sahara issue. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a member. Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20945J
2、une 21, 2001The Organization of African UnityGordon S. Brown and Nicholas CookForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummarySince the end of the Cold War, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) hasincreasingly focused its activities on practical measures to deal with the continentschallenges o
3、f intra- and inter-state conflict and good governance. The organization willprobably be reconstituted in 2002 as the African Union, but its effectiveness will continueto be challenged by chronic budgetary weakness and concern by some member states thatits activities could constitute intervention in
4、their internal affairs. It is nonethelessmoving slowly to develop a more meaningful role and in particular is building up itscapacity to play an expanded role in conflict prevention. U.S. assistance dedicated to theOAUs conflict resolution activities expired in FY1998. BackgroundFounded in 1963 duri