ABSTRACT
Mediation in member state conflicts represented an important part of the OAU’s existence, while economic issues became important after the late 1970s. During its first thirty years, the OAU’s record of mediating inter-state conflicts was, contrary to popular perception, moderately successful. As in other areas of activity, however, it was hampered by the absence of effective hegemonic leadership in Africa’s inter-state relations (see hegemony). Although some countries, like Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, are important actors in the African state system, their influence has never amounted to undisputed continental leadership. Consequently, the OAU always lacked the clout to execute forceful strategies in conflict mediation
or impose the financial discipline necessary to develop strong institutions or launch peacekeeping operations. It therefore pursued a minimalist strategy aimed at persuasion, the use of dilatory tactics and containment of inter-state hostilities through mediation on a decentralized and ad hoc basis.
