CM/RES 480 (XXVII) Page 1
RESOLUTION ON THE SO-CALLED FRENCH SOMALILAND (DJIBOUTI)
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its 27th Ordinary Session in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 24th June to 3rd July, 1976.
Having considered the report of the OAU Fact-Finding Mission to the So-called French Somaliland (Djibouti) and the report of the 27th Ordinary Session of the OAU Co-ordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa;
Recalling the objectives and principles enshrined in Articles 2 and 3 of the Charted of the
OAU;
Recalling also Resolution CM/431/Rev.1 (XXV) of the Council of Ministers of the OAU as adopted by the 12th Assembly of Heads of State and government in Kampala, and the UN General Assembly Resolution 3480 (XXX);
Convinced that all Member States of the OAU can make tangible contributions for the achievement of immediate and unconditional independence by the people of the So-called French Somaliland (Djibouti) under conditions which would ensure a democratic process and recognition and respect for their independence and the integrity of their territory;
Having registered the solemn declaration of the leaders of the Ethiopian and Somali delegations before the Council affirming on behalf of their respective Governments, to recognize, respect and honour the independence and sovereignty of the So-called French Somaliland (Djibouti) and its territorial integrity after its accession to independence,
COMMENDS the report of the Fact-Finding Missions and expresses its appreciation for the sense of objectivity and comprehensiveness of the Mission’s report in the realistic assessment of the political situation prevailing in the territory;
APPROVES the recommendations contained in the report of the Fact-Finding Mission and observations thereon as well as the declaration of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa, together with proposals of Sierra Leone as contained in the council’s report;
REAFFIRMS Resolution CM/Res. 431/Rev.1 (XXV);
REAFFIRMS FURTHER the inalienable right of the people of the so-called French Somaliland (Djibouti) to self-determination and calls upon all States to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of that territory and to abstain from any action likely to impede or adversely affect the current process of the country’s accession to independence;
DEMANDS that France urgently undertake the necessary measures for the creation of a conducive atmosphere for ensuring a peaceful, just and democratic process leading to immediate and unconditional independence and to that end accept and implement the relevant recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission approved by the Council of Ministers;
DEPLORES the maneuvers that have hitherto hindered the independence of the So- called French Somaliland (Djibouti) and call on France to proceed as soon as possible to settle the problems of nationality and the reform of the electoral list with the view of organizing the referendum before the end of 1976, and subsequent elections at an early date in 1977;
URGES all the political parties and groups and the two Liberation Movements recognized by the OAU (FLCS and LMD) to accept a round-table conference on neutral grounds under the auspices of the OAU to agree on a common political platform before the referendum;
DESIGNATES, in accordance with recommendations of the 27th Session of the Co- ordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa, the OAU Fact-Finding Mission to observe the referendum and the subsequent elections and to assist in the determination of the status of refugees on the basis of the recommendations made by the Fact-Finding Mission;
REQUESTS the Administrative Secretary-General to transmit to the French Government the contents of this resolution and to take all the necessary measures for its implementation.