OAU Council of Ministers decide to reject dialogue with South Africa

On 20 June 1971, at the meetings of Organization of African Unity's (OAU) Council of Ministers, dialogue with South Africa was firmly rejected. This was due to the fact that they believed the apartheid regime of South Africa was attempting to "divide African states" and "confuse world public opinion". South Africa had been ostracized by the international community because of its apartheid policies, and this attempt at dialogue was therefore seen as an attempt to relieve the country of its isolation, and to gain acceptance of the status quo. However, in a declaration issued at its 17th ordinary session in June 1971, the OAU Council of Ministers concluded that a proposal for a dialogue with South Africa and the independent African states would only occur if: South Africa eliminated their apartheid policies The minority regime met with the oppressed in South Africa Dialogue took place after consultation with the OAU and liberation movements