RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF INDEPENDENT AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT HELD IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA,F

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ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY

Secretariat

Addis Ababa

CIAS/PLEN.2/REV.2

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CIAS/Plen.3

A - C

CIAS/RES.1/REV.1

CIAS/Res.1/Rev.1

CIAS/Res.2

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE FIRST CONFERENCE

OF INDEPENDENT AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE AND

GOVERNMENT HELD IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA,

FROM 22 TO 25 MAY 1963

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CIAS/Plen.2/Rev.2

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Agenda Item II: DECOLONIZATION

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Having considered all aspects of the questions of decolonization,

Unanimously convinced of the imperious and urgent necessity of co-ordinating and

intensifying their efforts to accelerate the unconditional attainment of national

independence of all African territories still under foreign domination,

Reaffirming that it is the duty of all African Independent States to support

dependent peoples in Africa in their struggle for freedom and independence,

Noting with deep concern that most of the remaining dependent territories in Africa

are dominated by foreign settlers,

Convinced that the colonial powers, by their forcible imposition of the settlers to

control the governments and administrations of those territories, are thus

establishing colonial bases in the heart of Africa,

Have agreed unanimously to concert and co-ordinate their efforts and actions in this

field, and to this end have decided on the following measures:

1. DECLARES that the forcible imposition by the colonial powers of the settlers

to control the governments and administrations of the dependent territories

is a flagrant violation of the inalienable rights of the legitimate inhabitants of

the territories concerned;

2. INVITES the colonial powers to take the necessary measures for the

immediate application of the declaration of the Granting of Independence to

Colonial Countries and Peoples; and INSISTS that their determination to

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maintain colonies or semi-colonies in Africa constitutes a menace to the

peace of the continent;

3. INVITES, further, the colonial powers, particularly the United Kingdom

with regard to Southern Rhodesia, not to transfer the powers and attributes

of sovereignty to foreign minority governments imposed on African peoples

by the use of force and under cover of racial legislation; and INSISTS that

the transfer of power to settler minorities would amount to the provision of

United Nations resolution 1514(XV) on violations of Independence;

4. REAFFIRMS its support of African nationalists of Southern Rhodesia and

solemnly declares that if power in Southern Rhodesia were to be usurped by

a racial white minority government, State Members of the Conference would

lend their effective moral and practical support to any legitimate measures

which the African nationalist leaders may devise for the purpose of

recovering such power and restoring it to the African majority; the

Conference also UNDERTAKES henceforth to concert the efforts of its

Members to take such measures as the situation demands against any State

according recognition to the minority government;

5. REAFFIRMS, further, that the territory of South-West Africa is an African

territory under international mandate and that any attempt by the Republic

of South Africa to annex it would be regarded as an act of aggression;

REAFFIRMS also its determination to render all necessary support to the

second phase of the South-West Africa case before the International Court of

Justice; REAFFIRMS STILL FURTHER, the inalienable right of the people

of South-West Africa to self-determination and independence;

6. INTERVENES EXPRESSLY with the Great Powers so that they cease,

without exception, to lend direct or indirect support or assistance to all those

colonialist governments which might use such assistance to suppress national

liberation movements, particularly the Portuguese Government which is

conducting a real war of genocide in Africa; INFORMS the allies of colonial

powers that they must choose between their friendship for the African people

and their support of powers that oppress African peoples;

7. DECIDES to send a delegation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to speak on

behalf of all African States in the meetings of the Security Council which will

be called to examine the report of the United Nationals Committee of 24 on

the situation in African territories under Portuguese domination; (The

Conference has decided the members of the Delegation to be Liberia,

Tunisia, Madagascar and Sierra Leone);

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8. DECIDES further the breaking off of diplomatic and consular relations

between all African States and Governments of Portugal and South Africa so

long as they persist in their present attitude towards decolonization;

9. ASKS FOR AN EFFECTIVE BOYCOTT of the foreign trade of Portugal

and South Africa by:

(a) prohibiting the import of goods from those two countries;

(b) closing African ports and airports to their ships and planes;

(c) forbidding the planes of those two countries to overfly the territories or all

African States;

10. EARNESTLY INVITES all national liberation movements to co-ordinate

their efforts by establishing common action fronts wherever necessary so as

to strengthen the effectiveness of their struggle and the rational use of the

concerted assistance given them;

11. ESTABLISHES a Co-ordinating Committee consisting of Algeria, Ethiopia,

Guinea, Congo (Leopoldville), Nigeria, Senegal, Tanganyika, United Arab

Republic and Uganda, with Headquarters in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika,

responsible for harmonizing the assistance from African States and for

managing the Special Fund to be set up for that purpose;

12. ESTABLISHES a Special Fund to be raised by voluntary contribution of

Member States for the current year, the deadline for such contribution being

15 July 1963; REQUESTS the Co-ordinating Committee to propose the

necessary fund and apportionment among Member States to the Council of

Ministers so as to supply the necessary practical and financial aid to the

various African national liberation movements;

13. APPOINTS the day of 25 May as African Liberation Day so as to organize

popular demonstrations on that day to disseminate the recommendations of

the Summit Conference and to collect sums over and above the national

contributions for the Special Fund; (The Conference has decided that this

year it will be the opening day of the 18th Session of the General Assembly of

the United Nations);

14. DECIDES to receive on the territories of independent African States,

nationalists from liberation movements in order to give them training in all

sectors and afford young people all the assistance they need for their

education and vocational training;

15. DECIDES further to promote, in each State, the transit of all material aid

and the establishment of a body of volunteers in various fields, with a view to

providing the various African national liberation movements with the

assistance they need in the various sectors.

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Agenda Item II: APARTHEID AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Having considered ALL ASPECTS of the questions of apartheid and racial

discrimination,

Unanimously convinced of the imperious and urgent necessity of co-ordinating and

intensifying their efforts to put an end to the South African Government’s criminal

policy of apartheid and wipe out racial discrimination in all its forms,

Have agreed unanimously to concert and co-ordinate their efforts and actions in this

field, and to this end have decided on the following measures:

(a) To grant scholarships, educational facilities and possibilities of employment in

African government services to refugees from South Africa;

(b) To support the recommendations [presented to the Security Council and the

General Assembly by the Special Committee of the United Nations on the apartheid

policies of the South African Government;

(c) To despatch a delegation of Foreign Ministers to inform the Security Council of

the explosive situation existing in South Africa; (The Conference has decided the

Members of the Delegation to be: Liberia, Tunisia, Madagascar and Sierra Leone);

(d) To co-ordinate concerted measures of sanction against the Government of South

Africa;

1. APPEALS to all States, and more particularly to those which have traditional

relations and co-operate with the Government of South Africa, to apply strictly UN

resolution 1761 (XVII) of 6 November 1962 concerning apartheid;

2. APPEALS to all governments who still have diplomatic, consular and economic

relations with the Government of South Africa to break off those relations and to

cease any other form of encouragement for the policy of apartheid;

3. STRESSES the great responsibility incurred by the colonial authorities

administering territories neighboring South Africa in the pursuit of the policy of

apartheid;

4. CONDEMNS racial discrimination in all its forms in Africa and all over the

world;

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5. EXPRESS the deep concern aroused in all African peoples and governments by

the measures of racial discrimination taken against communities of African origin

living outside the continent and particularly in the United States of America;

EXPRESSES appreciation for the efforts of the Federal Government of the United

States of America to put an end to those intolerable malpractices which are likely

seriously to deteriorate relations between the African peoples and governments on

the one hand and the people and Government of the United States of America on

the other.

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Agenda Item III: AFRICA AND THE UNITED NATIONS

The Summit Conference of Independent African states meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Believing that the United Nations is an important instrument for the maintenance

of peace and security among nations and for the promotion of the economic and

social advancement of all peoples,

Reiterating its desire to strengthen and support the United Nations,

Noting with regret that Africa as a region is not equitably represented in the

principal organs of the United Nations,

Convinced of the need for closer co-operation and co-ordination among the African

Member States of the United Nations,

1. REAFFIRMS its dedication to the purposes and principles of the United Nations

Charter and its acceptance of all obligations contained in the Charter, including

financial obligations;

2. INSISTS that Africa as a geographical region should have equitable

representation in the principal organs of the United Nations, particularly the

Security Council and the Economic and Social Council and its specialized agencies;

3. INVITES African Governments to instruct their representatives in the United

Nations to take all possible steps to achieve a more equitable representation of the

African region;

4. FURTHER INVITES African Governments to instruct their representatives in

the United Nations, without prejudice to their membership in and collaboration

with the African-Asian Group, to constitute a more effective African Group with a

permanent secretariat so as to bring about closer co-operation and better co-

ordination in matters of common concern.

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Agenda Item III: GENERAL DISARMAMENT

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Having considered all aspects of the questions of general disarmament,

Unanimously convinced of the imperious and urgent necessity of co-ordinating and

intensifying their efforts to contribute to the achievement of a realistic disarmament

programme through the signing, by all States concerned, of a treaty on general and

complete disarmament under strict and effective international control,

Have agreed unanimously to concert and co-ordinate their efforts and actions in this

field, and to this end have decided on the following measures:

1. To affirm and respect the principle of declaring Africa a Denuclearized Zone to

oppose all nuclear and thermonuclear tests, as well as the manufacture of nuclear

weapons and to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy;

2. The destruction of existing nuclear weapons;

3. To undertake to bring about, by means of negotiation, the end of military

occupation of the African continent and the elimination of military bases and

nuclear tests, which elimination constitutes a basic element of African Independence

and Unity;

4. To appeal to the Great Powers to:

(a) reduce conventional weapons;

(b) put an end to the arms race; and

(c) sign a general and complete disarmament agreement under strict and effective

international control;

5. To appeal to the Great Powers, in particular to the Soviet Union and the United

States of America, to use their best endeavors to secure the objectives stated above.

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Agenda Item IV: AREAS OF CO-OPERATION IN ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

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Concerned with the active share of the developing countries in world trade and at

the persistent deterioration of the terms of trade in their external commercial

relationships,

Conscious of the fact that owing to its extreme dependence on the export of primary

products, Africa, more than any other developing region, is adversely affected by

persistent deteriorations in export earnings,

Convinced of the necessity for concerted action by the African countries in order to

ensure a much more remunerative price from the sale of their primary products,

Mindful of the need to eliminate the barriers to trade among the African countries

and thereby to strengthen their economies,

Considering that economic development, including the expansion of trade on the

basis of fair and remunerative prices, should tend to eliminate the need for external

economic aid and that such external economic aid should be unconditional and

should not prejudice the independence of African States,

Considering the imperative necessity for African countries to pool their resources

and harmonize their activities in the economic field,

Aware of the necessity for the joint utilization of river basin resources, the study of

the use of Sahara Zone, the co-ordination of means of transport and communication

systems, and the provision of research facilities, all of which serve to stimulate

economic growth and expansion of trade, both regionally and inter-regionally,

Convinced that the acceleration of the rate of economic and social development of

the various African countries lies in the industrialization of these countries and the

diversification of their production,

Considering the serious problems arising from the great shortage of trained and

skilled personnel, the lack of qualified staff, scarce capital resources, grossly

inadequate infrastructure, limited outlets for industrial products and the far too

inadequate participation of all Africans in the economic construction of their

countries,

Desiring to explore the effects of regional economic groupings on the African

economy,

Noting with satisfaction that the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission

for Africa has decided to convene a Conference of African Ministers of Finance, to

be held in Khartoum (Sudan) in July 1963, with a view to settling up an African

Development Bank,

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RESOLVES TO:

APPOINT, pending the establishment of the Economic Commission of the

Organization, a preparatory economic committee to study, in collaboration with

governments and in consultation with the Economic Commission for Africa, inter

alia, the following questions and submit their findings to Member States;

(a) the possibility of establishing a free trade area between the various African

countries;

(b) the establishment of a common external tariff to protect the emergent industries

and the setting up of a raw material price stabilization fund;

(c) the restructuralization of international trade;

(d) the means for developing trade among African countries by the organization and

participation in African trade fairs and exhibitions and by the granting of transport

and transit facilities;

(e) the co-ordination of means of transport and the establishment of road, air and

maritime companies;

(f) the establishment of an African Payments and Clearing Union;

(g) a progressive freeing of national currencies from all non-technical external

attachments and the establishment of a Pan-African monetary zone; and;

(h) the ways and means of effecting the harmonization of existing and future

national development plans;

2. INVITES ECA to request its Executive Secretary to give the Commission of

Experts all the necessary support and assistance which it may require in the

fulfillment of its assignment;

3. WELCOMES the forthcoming Conference of African Ministers of Finance and to

give the respective Ministers of Finance instructions to take the necessary measures

for the rapid establishment of the African Development Bank;

4. NOTES with satisfaction the progress achieved by the Economic Commission for

Africa in establishing the Dakar Institute of Economic Development and Planning

and to affirm their profound interest in that institute and their intention of giving it

appropriate financial and other support;

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5. WELCOMES the forthcoming World Conference on Trade and Development

which is to examine international trade problems in relation to the economic

development of emerging countries;

6. URGES all States concerned to conduct negotiations, in concert, with a view to

obtaining from the consumer countries real price stabilization and guaranteed

outlets on the world market so that the developing countries may derive

considerably greater revenue from international trade.

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Agenda Item IV: AREAS OF CO-OPERATION - THE FUTURE OF CCTA

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Considering that at the last C.C.T.A. session in Dar-es-Salaam in January to

February 1963, the final adoption of the new CCTA convention was deferred until

the Heads of African States had had an opportunity to consider the role and

direction of the CCTA within the overall context of Pan-African Co-operation,

And in view of the fact that Article 23 of this new convention lays down as follows:

"Pending the signature and the ratification of this convention as provided in

article 16, the Parties having initialed this convention agree to apply it provisionally

as if it had entered into force as from the date of initialing, subject to any decision

which may be taken by the Heads of African and Malagasy States at the Conference

at Addis Ababa or at any subsequent conference on the role of the CCTA within the

overall context of Pan-African Co-operation",

DECIDES to maintain C.C.T.A. and to reconsider its role in order to bring it

eventually within the scope of the Organization of African States, which will have,

as one of its arms, an organ for technical, scientific and cultural co-operation.

CIAS/Plen.3

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SOCIAL AND LABOUR MATTERS

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from the 22 to 25 May 1963,

Realizing the importance of social standard for the African peoples and the urgent

need for raising such standard,

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Considering that co-operation amongst the African States in the social and labour

fields is vital and will contribute to the realization of a sound solidarity amongst

their peoples,

Believing that the coming together of youth from African States will create better

understanding and contribute to the realization of the desired African Unity,

Believing further that co-operation in the labour field amongst African States is

vital for our continent,

DECIDES that a Committee of Experts be called to convene within three months,

pending the setting up of the Economic and Social Commission provided for in

Article XX of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, to submit a report

to the above Commission;

With regard to social and labour matters;

1. To conduct extensive studies on social and labour problems in the continent;

2. To lay down detailed programmes with a view to raising the social standard and

to strengthen inter-African co-operation through:

(a) The exchange of social and labour legislations;

(b) The establishment of African Youth Organization;

(c) The Organization of African Scouts Union and an annual continental jamboree;

(d) The Organization of an annual African Sports Games;

(e) The Organization of vocational training courses in which African workers will

participate;

(f) The establishment of an African Trade Union.

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EDUCATION AND CULTURE

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from the 22 to 25 May 1963,

Desirous of strengthening educational and cultural ties amongst the peoples of

Africa,

Considering that the educational and cultural co-operation amongst African States

will break down linguistic barriers and promote understanding amongst the people

of the continent,

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Believing that once this co-operation in the educational and cultural fields amongst

African States has been organized, co-ordinated and harmonized and fully

implemented, it will pave the way to the final goal, namely African Unity,

Realizing the lack of information media in various parts of the African continent

and the necessity of strengthening exchange of information amongst African States

in order to promote better understanding amongst their peoples,

1. DECIDES that a Committee of Experts be called to convene within three months,

pending the setting up of the Educational and Cultural Commission provided for in

Article XX of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, to submit a report

to the above Commission on educational and cultural matters by taking into

account the resolutions which have been adopted by the Conferences of Casablanca

and Lagos;

2. PROPOSES:

(a) the establishment of an institute of African Studies to be a department of the

African University proposed by Ethiopia;

(b) the introduction as soon as possible of programmes in the major African

languages in the Broadcasting Stations of the various African States and the

exchanges of radio and television programmes;

(c) the establishment of an African News Agency.

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HEALTH, SANITATION AND NUTRITION

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Realizing the importance of health standard for the African peoples and the urgent

need for raising such standard and improving sanitation and nutrition amongst the

people,

Considering that the co-operation amongst the African States in health, sanitation

and nutrition fields is vital and will contribute to the realization of stronger

solidarity amongst their peoples,

DECIDES that a Committee of Experts be called to convene within three months,

pending the setting up of the Commission on Health, Sanitation and Nutrition

provided for in Article XX of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, to

submit a report to the above Commission:

With regard to health:

1. To conduct extensive studies on health problems facing the continent;

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2. To lay down detailed programmes with a view to raising health standards among

the peoples and to strengthen inter-African co-operation through:

(a) The exchange of information about endemic and epidemic diseases and the

means to control them;

(b) The exchange of health legislations;

(c) The exchange of doctors, technicians and nurses;

(d) The reciprocal offer of scholarships for medical students and the establishment

of training courses on health, sanitation and nutrition;

3. To conduct, research in all African States on sanitation and nutrition and to

study ways and means to improve them.

CIAS/Res.1/Rev.1

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Having signed the Charter of the Organization of African Unity:

1. ESTABLISES forthwith a Provisional General Secretariat that will operate until

the Charter of the Organization of African Unity is applied;

2. This provisional General Secretariat is entrusted to the Ethiopian Government

and will essentially perform such common tasks as have been decided by the present

Conference; (The expert committee which will assist the provisional Secretariat to

be set up by the Ethiopian Government shall be composed of the following

countries: Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Uganda and United Arab

Republic).

3. DECIDES to establish the Provisional Headquarters of the General Secretariat in

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;

4. DECIDES further, that the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the

Organization of African Unity, shall take place in Dakar, Senegal.

CIAS/Res.2

OFFICAL TEXT

The Summit Conference of Independent African States meeting in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, from 22 to 25 May 1963,

Considering the notable efforts made by the Imperial Government of Ethiopia in

organizing the first historic meeting of Heads of Independent African States and

Governments,

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Greatly appreciating the warm and cordial welcome extended by the brother people

of Ethiopia to its guests,

Expresses its deep gratitude to His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, and to the

Government and people of Ethiopia, whose decisive role has helped to consolidate

African unity through the inception of the Organization of African Unity.