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Article: New African Union forms in hopes of uniting continent's countries. (African Affairs).
- Article from:
- Jet
- Article date:
- July 29, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Johnson Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Organization of African Unity (OAU), derided as a useless bureaucratic talk shop for dictators and despots, recently was replaced by the African Union, a body that will require its members to make commitments to democratic principles, promote good governance, economic empowerment and respect human rights.
During its inaugural meeting, representatives of the old agency gathered in a seaside stadium in Durban, South Africa, as a ceremony of cannon salutes, parachuting soldiers, dancing Zulu warriors and jet flyovers ushered in a new era for the mineral rich but economically poor continent.
"We are starting a new chapter in the history of our ...