OAU – Resolutions adopted on the question of Middle East and the situation in southern Africa

LETTER DATED 9 OCTOBER 1970 FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY ADDRESSED TO THE

PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

In accordance with Article 54 of the United Nations Charter, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of the Security Council, the attached resolutions adopted by the seventh session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the question of the Middle East and the situation in southern Africa.

Accept, Sir, etc

RECOMMENDATION BY OAU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO OAU HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT REGARDING SUPPLY OF ARMS TO THE RACIST REGIME OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Council of Ministers of the OAU, meeting in its Fifteenth Ordinary-Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 to 31 August 1970,

Having considered the question of the sales of arms to South Africa,

Gravely concerned by the continued and intended supply of arms of destruction to the oppressive and racist regime of South Africa by France, United Kingdom, West Germany and any other Government, in defiance of Security Council resolutions 182 (1963), 183 (1963), 191 (1964), 282 (1960),

Convinced that this practice constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security,

Recognizing that the extensive arms build-up of the military forces of South Africa poses a real threat to the security and sovereignty of independent African States,

1. Unanimously condemns the actions of these States whether actual or intended;

2. Deplores the declared intention of the United Kingdom Government to resume the sale of arms to the oppressive and racist regime of South Africa and calls upon it not to proceed with its declared intention,

3. Recommends to the seventh session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU to write jointly, through its current Chairman, to the Heads of the Governments concerned, strongly deploring their action of selling arms to South Africa and requesting them to cease forthwith all actions contravening the resolutions of the Security Council relative to southern Africa in the interest of international peace and security, the freedom and stability of the area;

4. Further recommends that all Governments exert maximum pressure on those Governments supplying or intending to supply arms to South Africa in order to stop such sales or arms and to abide by all the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on this subject;

5. Recommends also to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to mandate a delegation of Foreign Ministers to prevail upon the Governments concerned to stop selling arms to South Africa and also to stop assisting in the manufacture of arms in South Africa;

6. Recommends that these States, some of which are permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations, be reminded of their responsibility under the United Nations Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security so manifestly threatened by their action;

7. Further recommends that the OAU continue to follow up this issue in order to explore every possible effective counter measure, and that this item be maintained on the agenda of the Council of Ministers.

CM/Res.232 (XV)

RESOLUTION ON DECOLONIZATION

The Council of Ministers of OAU, meeting in its fifteenth ordinary session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 to 31 August 1970,

Taking note of the report of the Administrative Secretary-General regarding the development of the situation in Territories under colonial domination, contained in document CM/335,

Recalling its various resolutions on the situation in the Territories under Portuguese, Spanish and French domination.

Recalling further the United Nations Declaration on Decolonization and the relevant United Nations General Assembly resolutions on the right of all peoples to independence,

Noting with indignation that the Portuguese regime is employing chemical weapons such as napalm, toxic gas and defoliant against the freedom-fighters and the African population in the Territories under its domination in flagrant violation of international conventions,

Realizing that the Portuguese regime is able to continue and intensify its colonial war of genocide because of continued massive assistance from NATO member States, especially the United States, West Germany, France and the United Kingdom,

Deeply concerned with the increasing economic and military involvement of the South African regime in Zimbabwe as well as in Angola and Mozambique,

Gravely concerned over the aggravation of the situation in Zimbabwe and the proclamation of a so-called Republic, based on racial discrimination, by the minority racist regime of Salisbury,

Noting that economic sanctions, instituted by the United Nations, have not been effective because of the support of South Africa and Portugal to the Smith regime and the violations of sanctions by imperialist Powers,

Again gravely concerned over the continued illegal occupation of Namibia by the South African racist regime and the intensified oppression of the African people in that Territory,

Taking note of Security Council resolutions 283 and 284 adopted on 29 July 1970,

Noting with satisfaction the progress of the liberation struggle in the Territories under colonial domination.

1. Congratulates the liberation movements in the Territories under foreign domination for the success achieved in their valiant liberation struggle for liberation and reaffirms its full support;

2. Condemns the member States of the Atlantic Alliance, especially the United States, West Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which continue to assist the Portuguese regime;

3. Strongly urges Spain to comply without delay with the relevant United Nations resolutions concerning the legitimate rights of the population of the so-called Spanish Sahara to self-determination;

4. Notes with satisfaction the withdrawal of Swedish and Italian firms from the Cabora-Bassa Dam Project;

5. Deplores the decision of West Germany and France to allow their monopolies to participate in this project with South African companies;

6. Declares its firm opposition to any form of government in Zimbabwe which is not based on the principle of African majority rule;

7. Condemns the South African and Portuguese authorities for failing to comply with the United Nations Security Council decisions regarding economic sanctions against Rhodesia;

8. Invites the Security Council to ensure strict implementation of economic sanctions against Rhodesia by all countries;

9. Requests the United Nations organs and specialized agencies to give utmost attention to all effective measures to secure compliance by the South African regime with their decision on Namibia;

10. Condemns the international economic and financial interests which collaborate with the Portuguese colonialists and instructs the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity to follow their activities so that the OAU may take appropriate measures;

11. Commends Governments, movements and organizations all over the world which support the legitimate struggle of the African peoples against foreign domination..

RESOLUTION ON APARTHEID AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

The Council of Ministers of the OAU, meeting in its Fifteenth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 to 31 August 1970,

Taking note of the report of the Administrative Secretary-General on apartheid and racial discrimination, contained in document CM/335,

Gravely concerned over the continued oppression of the people of South Africa and the intensification of the policies of apartheid,

Noting with indignation the brutal persecution and inhuman tortures of which African patriots are victims under the vicious "Territorism Act",

Noting further the intensification of the military, economic and other activities of the South African racist regime with a view to extending its aggressive policies to neighbouring territories,

Noting further with grave concern the continued support given to the South African racist regime by NATO member States certain Western countries and Japan, as well as by international economic and financial interests, which enables it to pursue its policy of repression against African peoples,

Considering that more effective African and international action is required in order to support the oppressed people of southern Africa in their legitimate liberation struggle,

1.  Calls upon all freedom-loving peoples, States and Organizations throughout the world to take more effective measures against the South African regime and those who support it, and to extend assistance to the oppressed peoples of southern Africa;

2. Condemns the Governments and international economic and financial interests which collaborate with the South African regime and requests the Secretary-General of OAU to continue to follow their activities and inform Member States thereof so that concrete measures can be taken to safeguard the legitimate interests of the African peoples;

3. Again commends the anti-apartheid movements and other organizations all over the world which support the African peoples in their liberation struggle and denounce all forms of collaboration with the Pretoria regime;

4.  Expresses its earnest hope that the observance of the International Year of Action Against Racism and Racial Discrimination in 1971, proclaimed by the United Nations, will promote effective world-wide activities against apartheid and racial discrimination;

5.  Instructs the Administrative Secretary-General of OAU, in consultation with Member States, to take appropriate measures to ensure maximum success in the observance of that event.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, meeting in its Seventh Ordinary Session, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1 to 3 September 1970;

Having heard the statement by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Head of the United Arab Republic delegation, on the situation prevailing in the Middle East in general, and in the United Arab Republic in particular,

Recalling its resolution AHG/Res.53 (V) of September 1968 calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops from all Arab territories occupied since 5 June 196? in accordance with the Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November 1967, and appealing to all member. States of the Organization of African Unity to use their influence to ensure a strict implementation of that resolution,

Recalling further its resolution AHG/Res.57 (VI) of September 1969 reaffirming emphatically the contents of its previous resolution AHG/Res.53 (V) °f September I968,

Reaffirming its opposition to the occupation by forces of any part or the whole of one country by another,

1. Takes formal note of the statement by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Head of the United Arab Republic delegation;

2. Expresses its grave concern that for over three years a part of the territory of a sister African State is still under occupation by foreign troops, which will threaten world peace;

3. Reaffirms its resolutions AHG/Res.53 (V) of September 1968, and AHG/Res.57 (VI) of September 1969, calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops from all occupied Arab territories to the lines of 5 June I967 in implementation of the Security Council resolution 2^2 of 22 November 1967;

k.  Expresses its solidarity with the United Arab Republic and appeals to all the member States of the OAU to support the present efforts of the United Nations special representative to implement the Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November 1967 taking into account that it cannot be implemented conditionally or partially;

5.   Requests all member States of OAU to use their influence to ensure the full implementation of that resolution.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, meeting in its Seventh Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1 to 3 September 1970,

Having heard the statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria on the question of the illegal arrest of two Algerian citizens transiting at Lydda International Airport, and their arbitrary detention by the Israeli authorities;

Emphasizing the seriousness of such practice in violation of international conventions and regulations and which could lead to very grave consequences,

Affirming the United Kingdom's responsibility due to the fact that BOAC is a national airline of this country under British flag,

1. Condemns the illegal arrest and detention of the two Algerian citizens by the Israeli authorities, in flagrant violation of international conventions on civil aviation as well as any practice of such nature perpetrated in any international airport;

2. Expresses its support and solidarity with the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria in its demand for the release of its nationals;

3. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of the two Algerian citizens by the Israeli authorities;

4.  Calls upon the United Kingdom to fulfil its international obligations and to take all steps in order to secure the release of the two Algerian passengers;

5.   Appeals to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the IFALPA, and to the ICAO to take necessary measures with a view of ensuring, without delay, the release of the two Algerian passengers.

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