Evaluate the effectiveness of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in achieving its objectives.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the effectiveness of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was created in 1963, in achieving its objectives. Candidates may refer to the structure of the OAU and its main founding objectives, analysing successes and failures. They may evaluate the effectiveness of its actions considering that its main purposes were to rid the continent of any vestige of colonization, to promote cooperation among the newly independent African countries and to foster economic development. Candidates may refer to specific illustrative cases and also to OAU internal divisions, agreements and disagreements that obstructed or facilitated decision-making and courses of action. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, the particular economic and political interests of OAU members, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.