Colonial rulers may have sowed the seeds of their own destruction by educating leaders
in their colonies; these leaders spread the idea of national independence. Then during
World War II, some colonial rulers promised independence to their colonies in return for
resources and aid needed to fight the war. After the war was over, colonies began to
demand independence. Most of the ruling countries were too weak and exhausted from
fighting the war to offer much resistance to these demands. In Africa, only South Africa,
Ethiopia, Liberia and Egypt were independent. Between 1951 and 1993, more than 50
African colonies achieved independence. In the 1950s 6 colonies received their
independence. In 1960 alone 14 colonies became independent nations; by 1968, 16 more
African colonies became nations. The Trusteeship Council of the United Nations has the
task of being involved in the welfare of colonies and preparing them for independence.
African Countries who declared themselves to be socialist states under the MarxistLeninist definition (in the west known as, "Communist states") at some point in their
history. The map uses present-day borders. Note that not all of these countries were
Marxist-Leninist at the same time.
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People's Republic of Angola (1975 - 1992)
People's Republic of Benin (1975 - 1990)
People's Republic of the Congo (1970 - 1992)
People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1987 - 1991)
Eritrea: under Ethiopian control 1955-1993
People's Republic of Mozambique (1975 - 1990)
Somali Democratic Republic (1970 - 1991)
Current African Socialist States (non Marxist-Leninist) (retain constitutional
references to socialism):
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Arab Republic of Egypt
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Libya
United Republic of Tanzania
Former African Socialist States:
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People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Republic of Senegal
Burkina Faso
Republic of Seychelles
Republic of Cape Verde
Democratic Republic of Sudan
Republic of Ghana
Tunisian Republic Tunisia
Republic of Guinea
Republic of Uganda
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Democratic Republic of Madagascar
Republic of Mali
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
The Organization of African Unity (OAU) or Organization de l'Unité Africaine
(OUA) was established on 25 May 1963. It was disbanded on 9 July 2002 by its last
chairperson, South African President Thabo Mbeki and replaced by the African Union.
The OAU’s primary aims:
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Promote the unity and solidarity of the African states and act as a collective voice
for the African continent. This was important to secure Africa's long-term
economic and political future. Years of colonialism had weakened it socially,
politically and economically.
The OAU was also dedicated to the eradication of all forms of colonialism, as,
when it was established, there was still a number of states that had not yet won
their independence or were minority-ruled. South Africa and Angola were two
such countries. The OAU proposed two ways of ridding the continent of
colonialism. Firstly, it would defend the interests of independent countries and
help to pursue those of still-colonized ones. Secondly, it would remain neutral in
terms of world affairs, preventing its members from being controlled once more
by outside powers.
Ensure that all Africans enjoyed human rights.
Raise the living standards of all Africans.
Settle arguments and disputes between members – not through fighting but rather
peaceful and diplomatic negotiation.
OAU members by date of admission (53 states)
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1963 : Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo
(Brazzaville), Congo (Léopoldville). Dahomey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana,
Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco,
Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, The Sudan, Tanganyika,
Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Upper Volta, Zanzibar, Kenya
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1964-68 : Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius,
Swaziland, Equatorial Guinea
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1973-77 : Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Cape Verde, Comoros, Mozambique, São
Tomé and Príncipe , Seychelles, Djibouti
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1980-82 : Zimbabwe, Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara)
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1990-94 : Namibia, Eritrea, South Africa