3.2. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
3.2.2. Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
The OAU also took steps to try and bring apartheid to an end, and one of its aims in formation was to see the whole of Africa free. The OAU often worked closely together with the United Nations (UN), informed the UN on developments in South Africa and supported recommendations made by the different bodies of the UN. The OAU also had close links with members of the freedom movements, and helped them in exile. The one problem was the conflict between some African countries, which often meant that the OAU was not as successful as it otherwise would have been.
The OAU saw the situation in South Africa as urgent, and for this reason called for coordinated actions. Among other things, members of the OAU promised to grant scholarships, educational facilities and employment as far as possible for South African refugees in their country, together with the establishment of refugee camps. They also agreed on the introduction of sanctions and to try and isolate South Africa as far as possible. This was however quite difficult for the frontline states who relied on South Africa for the success of their economy and especially during B.J. Vorster’s period of trying to build up relations with African countries. They did however manage to isolate South Africa quite effectively, and ruled out dialogue.
