The United Nations and Africa

Abstract

IN general, the purposes of the United Nations provide the basis for its relationship with Africa. Among others, these are: To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace; To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. 1 In the carrying out of these general purposes Africa provides sufficient grounds for the concern of and action by the United Nations. In fact, if we judge by past performance, it will continue to provide plenty for the United Nations to concern itself with for many a long day to come. It is only necessary to mention names such as Libya, Eritrea, Somalia, SouthWest Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, the Ewe problem in the Gold Coast and Togoland, the treatment of people of Indian origin in the Union of South Africa, to draw your attention to some of the generally better-known problems with which the United Nations has already had to deal. There are, of course, many others, less publicized, which occupy the attention of the United Nations, particularly of its specialized agencies-the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Health Organization, Food and Agri-