Page 161 - Afrika Must Unite

146 AFRICA MUST UNITE

agreed that a technical commission should meet at Dakar to
draw up plans for co-operation in research, communications,
and so on; and principles for a perm anent association were
agreed. These included the principle of non-interference in the
domestic affairs of other independent states; the political
equality of all independent African states; freedom to accept or
reject political unions, and respect for the territorial integrity of
all states.
In more detailed resolutions the conference condemned
South Africa, supported independence for Algeria, pledged
loyalty to the United Nations, offered assistance to the Angolan
nationalists, and condemned all nuclear tests.
Both the Casablanca and Monrovia conferences resulted in
meetings of experts to consider detailed plans for economic co­
operation among the respective members. Experts of the
Casablanca countries, meeting in Conakry, recommended the
ending of customs barriers over five years from 1 January 1962,
and the ending of quota systems and preferential treatm ent from
the same date. They also proposed the creation of a ‘Council of
African Economic U nity’ (C.U.E.A.) and an African develop­
m ent bank; and suggested the formation of joint air and shipping
lines.
Experts of the M onrovia group, meeting at Dakar, also dis­
cussed the setting up of an African development bank. They
recommended the promotion of trade between African countries
by regional customs unions, and the progressive establishment of
common external tariffs. Among other suggestions were the
harm onization of development policies, including investment
codes and conventions, an investment and guarantee fund, the
exchange of economic information, and the co-ordination of
research programmes. It was agreed that a network of roads and
railways should be built to link the countries together, and joint
shipping and air-lines formed. They agreed, also, to co-operate
in educational schemes and to adopt common standards.
The fundamental similarity of aims between those who met at
Casablanca and Conakry and those who met at M onrovia and
Dakar are apparent from a study of the resolutions passed and
recommendations adopted. Both aim ultimately at some kind of
unity. The Casablanca powers are convinced that political unity