Dictionary of Genocide - D Ank Unlimited

ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
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Organization of African Unity (OAU). The Organization of African Unity was established
in May 1963, emerging from earlier Pan-Africanist movements dating from before
the “winds of change” that saw large numbers of former European colonies and
protectorates in Africa achieve their independence. The OAU underwent a further reconstitution
in 2002, replaced by a new version calling itself the African Union.
The purpose of the OAU, as set out in its Charter, included principles such as the
encouragement of unity and solidarity among African states; the defense of African sovereignty,
territorial integrity, and independence; the eradication of all forms of colonialism
in Africa; and the promotion of international cooperation within the context of the
United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition to hosting several conferences and summits over a number of years, it also
engaged in several initiatives in furtherance of its goals of economic development, social
development, and political unity. Among these, for example, are the “African Charter on
Human and People’s Rights” (Nairobi, 1981) and the “Mechanism for Conflict Prevention,
Management, and Resolution” (1993).
The unity of the African nations was literally binding upon all member states, to such
an extent that sometimes the OAU was characterized more by its inaction in the face of
regional crises than it was of definite action. As an instrument of conflict management for
the continent, the OAU’s preference was to engage in dialogue and negotiation, rather
than physical intervention. Thus, it managed to broker cease-fires in certain international
disputes but could not intervene in issues requiring a military presence or action independent
of that called for by the United Nations. For this, the OAU was often accused of
standing by while politically driven humanitarian disasters beset the continent. The most
striking instance of this occurred in 1994, regarding the genocide in Rwanda. Although
the OAU had been heavily involved in conciliation negotiations between the Rwandan
government of President Juvenal Habyarimana (1937–1994) and leaders of the rebel
Rwandan Patriotic Front for a period of years prior to the genocide, it could do little more
than establish contact with both sides after the genocide began—and then, simply in the
hope of bringing them to the conference table. Given the UN Security Council’s reluctance
to get involved in stopping the killing in Rwanda, there was never any likelihood
that the OAU would do anything on its own initiative; even after the OAU secretarygeneral
was able to obtain an immediate commitment to deploy six thousand troops to
Rwanda, it took five months before any of them arrived—and that was nearly three
months after the worst of the killing had passed. In the aftermath of the slaughter, the
OAU resumed its arbitration role for the continent and worked closely with the new
Rwandan government, United Nations bodies, and nongovernmental agencies to try to assist
in bringing about a more stable environment. The OAU’s overall record in relation to
genocide prevention, amelioration, or cessation left a great deal to be desired throughout its
history.
Oric, Naser (b. 1967). Commander of Bosnian Muslim forces in and around the city
of Srebrenica between 1992 and 1995. Oric was born on March 3, 1967, in the town of
Potocari, about five kilometers from Srebrenica itself. During his period of national service
with the Yugoslav National Army (JNA), he was promoted to the rank of corporal.
Upon finishing his period of service, he joined the police force, and saw service in special
actions in 1990 in Kosovo. In late 1991, he was made police chief at Potocari. When
Bosnia-Herzegovina declared its independence in April 1992, and was invaded by the