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OAU Chairman Calls for Establishment of African Peace-keeping Force
Chairman of the 36th Assembly of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema Thursday called African states to establish an peace-keeping force in the continent to maintain peace.
Eyadema, who was elected OAU chairman early this week, told reporters at his presidential residence that the idea of an African peace-keeping force, which was first initiated by him at the 1994 summit, has won wide support from African countries during the just closed summit.
The new OAU chairman stressed that though some African countries have defense treaty with European countries, but once there is a turmoil in the African continent, the Europeans are concerned only with the safety of their soldiers.
"Africa must have its own peace-keeping force while the Europeans can help in logistical support," he said during his first news conference since the conclusion of the 36th OAU summit.
On the forthcoming first Sino-African Cooperation Forum to be held in Beijing this October, Eyadema said he will personally attend the forum on behalf of the OAU and Togolese government. "I expect to meet my Chinese friends again in the beautiful city of Beijing," he said.
After three-day deliberations, African leaders at the summit signed on Wednesday a document on establishing an African Union.
According to the Draft Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Union will be officially established until two thirds of the OAU member states ratify the document.
The Union covers a series of political organs including the assembly, the Executive Council, and the Pan-African Parliament.
It will also establish a series of financial institutions including the African Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund and the African Investment Bank.
Founded on May 25, 1963, the OAU is designated to promote the unity and solidarity of the African states, defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of members, coordinate and intensify the cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the people of Africa.
Following eradicating all forms of colonialism from Africa, the organization has been focused on peace and development and reversion of the growing marginalization of Africa in economic globalization.
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