Introduction

The roots of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was set up in 1963 at a summit meeting of thirty-two African Heads of States and Governments, can be traced back to a major discourse that started in the penultimate days of colonialism on the continent. The Charter of the OAU reflected the victory of the moderates over the radicals in the debate about the nature and form of post-independence inter-state relations on the continent. At the apex of the OAU is the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government, which is composed of African Presidents, and Prime Ministers or their representatives. The OAU Secretariat is made up of international civil servants from the African continent. The OAU Secretariat is, among other things, responsible for the preparation of the Organisation’s budget. The OAU, as it was set up in 1963, represented the constrained victory of the moderates over the radicals in the Pan-African Movement.