CM/Res. 268 (XIX)
RESOLUTION ON THE PORTUGUESE COLONIES
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Nineteenth Ordinary Session in Rabat, Morocco, from 5 to 12 June 1972,
Having considered the charter of the report by the OAU Administrative Secretary General on the question of the territories under Portuguese domination (document CM/44 0) and bearing in mind the views expressed by the representatives of OAU Member States in the course of the debate on that question,
Fully aware of the fact that the complete achievement of African Unity requires first of all the total liberation and independence of all the African territories still subjected to foreign domination and exploitation,
Reaffirming the determination and commitment of the part of the independent African States to liberate all the territories under Portuguese domination,
Noting the results obtained during the special session of United Nations Security Council held in Addis Ababa from 28 January to 4 February 1972, and of the special sessions of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization in Africa,
Noting with satisfaction the visit of the United Nations mission to the liberated areas of Guinea Bissau, on the invitation and under the protection of PAIGC,
Taking note with satisfaction of the report on the work of the United Nations Committee on Decolonization during its last visit to Africa, particularly in the liberated areas of Guinea Bissau and its decision to recognized PAIGC as the only genuine representative of the people of Guinea Bissau,
Recalling all resolutions on the question of territories under Portuguese domination previously adopted by the Organization of African Unity,
Deploring the persistent refusal of the Portuguese Government to recognize the inalienable rights to self-determination and independence of the territories under its domination, in confo rmity with General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to the Colonial Countries and Peoples, and with resolution 2621
(XXV) of 12 October 1970 establishing the programme of action for the fu ll application of Declaration 1514 (XV),
Gravely concerned by the deterioration of the situation resulting from the intensification by the Portuguese government of its military operations and other oppressive measures against the brotherly peoples of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau who are struggling to regain their freedom and independence,
Gravely concerned by the military, political and economic assistance that the member countries of NATO and other countries particularly, the United States, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan continue to provide to Portugal which assistance is the principal obstacle on the road to independence of the peoples of Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and the Cape Verde Islands since it enables Portugal to continue its colonial wars,
Noting with indignation the physical presence and direct intervention of South Africa and Rhodesia in Angola and Mozambique, at the side of Portugal, against these African countries,
Noting with satisfaction the progress made by the liberation movements in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau in the armed struggle that they are waging for the liberation of these territories,
Seriously concerned by the threats and acts of aggression constantly perpetrated and by the continued violations on the part of Portugal of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the independent African States bordering on the territories under Portuguese domination,
Deeply indignant at the use of chemical agents in the colonial war against the peoples of the territories under Portuguese domination which constitutes a crime against humanity,
Noting with profound indignation that the Government of Portugal obstinately persists in its refusal to heed the appeals addressed to it by OAU, the United Nations and world public opinion,
Noting that the so-called constitutional changes introduced in 1971 and in 1972 by the Portuguese Government are not designed to lead the peoples of the territories of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau to exercise their inalienable rights to self-determination and independence, but are rather designed to perpetuate colonial domination,
Noting with satisfaction the efforts towards national reconstruction undertaken by the liberation movements in the cast liberated areas of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea Bissau,
Having listened with undivided attention to the statement made by His Majesty King Hassan II at the official opening of the Nineteenth Session of the OAU Council of Ministers that the liberation of Africa was the foremost preoccupation of OAU, for without freedom there can be neither peace, unity nor progress,
SOLEMNLY REAFFIRMS the inalienable rights of the people of Angola, Mozambique and guinea Bissau to self-determination and independence,
FULLY SUPPORTS the legitimate armed struggle of the people of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau against colonialist domination and oppression by Portugal for their freedom and independence,
SOLEMNLY REAFFIRMS its commitment to pursue the struggle with a view to total liberation of the territories of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau through concerted and practical actions of all kinds and at all levels,
REAFFIRMS that the national liberation movements of the Portuguese colonies are the custodians of the sovereignty of their countries and people;
CALLS UPON the international community to recognize the national liberation movements of the Portuguese colonies as the legitimate representatives of their peoples and countries and to discuss problems concerning these peoples and countries only with the respective liberation movements;
RECORDS WITH SATISFACTION resolution A/AC.109/400 dated 13/4/1972 of the Committee of Decolonization affirming the existence in the liberated areas of Guinea Bissau of an administration with complete and effective control of this territory and accordingly addresses to the people of Guinea Bissau and to Amilcar Cabral, the Secretary General of PAIGC its congratulations on the notable victories gained over Portuguese colonialism;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the negative attitude and arrogance with which the Portuguese Government persists in its refusal to implement resolution 1514 (XV) and all the other relevant resolutions of the United Nations on the granting of independence to colonial peoples,
EMPHATICALLY CONDEMNS the threats of all kinds and the repeated acts of aggression by Portugal against independent African States and the constant violations by the Portuguese Armed Forces of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries bordering on the territories under its domination,
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the infamous crimes and acts of genocide perpetrated by Portugal against the African peoples of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau through the use of chemicals, napalm, poison gas and other inhuman devices in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter,
AFFIRMS that these heinous crimes in violation of the Geneva Convention constitute a serious threat to international peace and security;
DENOUNCES AND REJECTS the so-called constitutional changes introduced in 1971 and 1972 by the Portuguese Government in the African territories under its domination;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the alliance of Portugal and minority racialist regimes of South Africa and Rhodesia aimed at perpetuating colonialism, oppression and racial discrimination in this part of Africa;
URGES the governments of OAU Member States to implement rigorously the provisions of the resolution adopted by OAU and to cease maintaining relations with Portugal;
REITERATES ITS APPEAL to all States to implement the provisions of Security Council resolution 212 (1965) pf 23 November 1965 and General Assembly
resolution 2107 (XX) of 21 December 1965,
AGAIN CALLS UPON all States, especially those Members of NATO which continue to give aid and assistance to the Government of Portugal, to withdraw all forms of aid and assistance that enable Portugal to pursue its colonial war in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau, and to prevent the sale or supply to the Portuguese Government of the arms, material and equipment that enable it to manufacture or maintain arms and munitions which is used to perpetuate its colonial domination in Africa;
ADDRESSES an appeal to the EEC to refrain from entering into agreement with Portugal, so long as it continues to wage colonial wars;
CALLS UPON all States to take immediate steps to put an end to all activities which contribute to the territories under Portuguese domination and their peoples, and to discourage the nationals and companies under their jurisdiction from becoming parties to transactions and from entering into any arrangements which strengthen the domination of Portugal over these territories and which prevent the implementation of the United nations declaration 1514 (XV) on the territories in question;
URGENTLY CALLS UPON governments, in particular those of the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, France and the United States, which have not yet prevented the individuals and business concerns coming under their jurisdiction from participating in the Cabora Bassa project to take all the necessary measures to discourage and end their participation and to withdraw immediately from all activities connected with these projects,
ENCOURAGES all the liberation movements of Angola, Mozambique and guinea Bissau to intensify the struggle against Portuguese Colonialism and for national independence;
DECIDES to increase assistance to the liberation movements of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau in conformity with the recommendations of the Liberation Committee; and
FURTHER INVITES the governments of OAU Member States to strengthen and increase their moral and material support for the liberation struggle being waged by the valiant freedom fighters of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau against Portuguese domination;
EXPRESSES ONCE AGAIN its solidarity with Member States bordering on territories under Portuguese domination, the victims of repeated aggressions.