OAU AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF OAU’S PEACE ROLE IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR
Abstract
This study examines the role of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in peace and conflict
resolution during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). The research critically analyzes the OAU's
foundational principles, its peace meetings held to address the complex issues that led to and
sustained the Nigerian conflict. Through a qualitative approach, drawing on historical documents,
scholarly articles, this study investigates the OAU's peace meetings and its overall impact on the
trajectory of the war. It assesses both the successes and limitations of the OAU's engagement,
considering the geopolitical context, the sovereignty concerns of member states, and the internal
dynamics of the conflict. The findings show that while the OAU faced significant challenges in
asserting its authority and achieving a decisive resolution, its efforts were important in framing
the conflict as an internal African affair, preventing external interference, and laying the
foundation for future continental peace initiatives. This study provides insights into the nature of
African regional organizations' roles in maintaining peace and security on the continent.
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