The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared

Updated: 22 May 2020

On 25 May, 1963, the first African organisation after independence, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The organisation was founded by thirty-two countries, a further 21 states have joined gradually over the years, with South Africa becoming the 53rd member on 23 May 1994. The OAU started its operations on 13 September, 1963, when its Charter was adopted. The OAU was committed to helping bring about change and freedom to many African countries and restore dignity of African people. The 25th May, now celebrated as Africa Day, marks the beginning of a quest for the unity of the continent and for the political and economic emancipation of its people as well as co-operation among them. It is at this historic meeting that the date of Africa Freedom Day was changed from April 15th to May 25th. In 2002 the OAU was dissolved and was replaced by the African Union (AU).

How we know this

01‘Organization of African Unity (OAU)’, from Encyclopedia.com [online], Available at www.encyclopedia.com [Accessed: 26 April 2012]
02‘Organisation of African Unity’, from South African History Online, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 26 April 2012]
03‘First celebration of Africa Day’, from South African History Online, [online], available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 25 April 2012]

Last updated · 22 May 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, May 17). The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083386

South African History Online (2012) 'The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared', South African History Online, 17 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083386 (Accessed: 17 October 2026).

South African History Online, The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083386, (accessed 17 October 2026).

"The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared." South African History Online, 17 May 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083386. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "The Organisation of African Unity is formed and Africa Day is declared." South African History Online. May 17, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0083386.