ABSTRACT
In May 1993 the former Italian colony of Eritrea finally won independence from Ethiopia
and recognition as the newest member of the Organisation of African Unity. According to Kiley (1993), President Afeworki’s presentation included a criticism of the members that they belonged to a ‘nominal organisation’ that had failed to fulfil its objectives and meet its commitments: ‘The African continent is today a marginalised actor in global politics and the world economic order.’ He did not, as had been customary, blame the former colonialists or the Cold War for Africa’s ills but laid most of the blame for Africa’s problems at the feet of Africans.
