Keynote: The Crisis and Opportunity for Peace - an OAU Perspective

"It is in that regard that in depth reflection was initiated in recent years within the OAU on the need to equip our continental organization with a mechanism which would enable it to respond swiftly to conflict situations in our region. This exercise culminated in the historic decision adopted by our Leaders last year in Cairo to establish a Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. The Mechanism is built around a Central Organ comprising Member States and functioning at ambassadorial, ministerial and Heads of State levels as the situation warrants. The Mechanism relies on the Secretariat as its operational arm and on an OAU Peace Fund open for contribution from within and outside Africa to sustain its activities." - Dr. Salim, March 14, 1994