The organization of African unity and prospects for economic co-operation in Africa: a case study of the Pan-African postal Union (PAPU)

The organization of African Unity (OAU) was formed to cater primarily for Africa’s political problem which evolved around disunity. But due to the glaring fact that all its members were facing serious economic problems inherited from colonial rule which had left African economics fragmented, the OAU was also assigned the task of co- coordinating economic activities in Africa. The need for, and benefits accruing from economic co-operation had been expressed at various pre-OAU conferences, but due to the fact that most African countries were still colonies, no action was taken to faster meaningful inter-African co-operation. This step was thus taken in 1963 with the formation of the OAU when the desire to foster inter-African co-operation in various fields was incorporated in its charter as one of its main objectives. During its eighteen years of existence the OAU has attempted to fulfill that existence the OAU has attempted to fulfill that objective, with little success. Activity in the area of economic co- operation has been scanty. The OAU Economic, social and communications commission which is supposed to be the main co-coordinator of OAU activities in this field remains weak and inactive and its activities have been overshadowed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The specialized agencies termed by the OAU to foster inter-African co-operation have been ineffective. This has led the OAU member states to turn back to, and concentrate more on their pre OAU rival alliances from which they get some tangible, albeit short-term benedicts. This has meant lack of internally generated material support for both the OAU and its agencies. The pan-African postal Union (PAPU), the newest of OAU agencies, highlights the problems faced by the agencies of the OAU. These problems are inherent in the formation, structure and mode of operation of the OAU itself. The OAU was formed on the basis of a compromise arrive at by pre-OAU rival Brazzaville and Casablanca groups but its charter does not indicate clearly the position of the OAU vis-à-vis these groups. It was thus easy for the groups to re-emerge soon after the formation of the OAU, and to foster regional and sub-regional rather than continental efforts. There has also been a proliferation of groupings which OAU members join at will. Given the economic problems prevailing in Africa, OAU members cannot afford to support from its members. Structurally, the OAU is a loosely co-ordinated organization. Communication between its various arms is no smooth. This has contributed to its limited success in fostering inter-African co-operation. The OAU Economic, Social and Communications commission is assigned tasks which it is inadequately armed to perform. These assignments, which are decided upon on the basis of hurried resolutions usually remain on paper as they cannot be implemented. In spite of this trend, the OAU has continued to form functional agencies like PAPU which end up facing the same problems as their parent organization. PAPU like the OAU is a compromise organization. It has as yet to define its position vis-à-vis other rival African Unions such as the posts and Telecommunications Union (UAPTU) and African postal Union (AFPU) the activities of which it is supposed to co-ordinate. PAPU is faced with difficult task of capturing the loyalty of members of these older Union and it is inadequately structured to perform the above task. There is this possibility of members of these groups withdrawing active support from PAPU and concentrating resources on their previous narrower groupings thus rendering PAPU dysfunctional. Under such conditions prospects for meaningful inter-African co-operation are not bright. There is a need for the OAU members to change their entire approach to the quest for co-operation. A way has to be found which will lead to increased internal influence. The OAU economic, social and communications commission needs also to co-ordinate the various functional agencies of the OAU in this field.