RELEVANCY OF NAM TODAY

To avoid the revival of cold war politics given the continued existence of pockets of communism in Cuba, Russia, Vietnam, China and North Korea.

Solve the interstate conflicts between member states e.g. India and Pakistan, in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.

Fight poverty among the third world countries, which are the poorest and highly indebted countries of the world this would a break through in improving upon the standard of living of their population.

Fight racialism mainly practiced in the Middle East were efforts to create a state of Palestine has failed since 1948. Consequently major military confrontations have occurred between the Palestinians and Israelites. E.g.1948, 1956 (Suez-Canal war), 1967(six day war) and 1973 (Yom- Kippur war).

To put a strong fight against nuclear testing and revival of arms race between USA, Russia and China, India and Pakistan.

Restoration and respect of democratic rule in the countries of the third world. Rigging of elections, tempering with the constitution and suppression of the opposition is rampant in Afria

The challenge of watering down the civil wars on the continent of Africa which have resulted } into economic backwardness, loss of lives and high numbers of refugees among others. E.g. in; Sudan (1955-), Angola (1975-), Uganda (1986-), Somalia (1991-) and Burundi (1995-) and Democratic Republic of Congo (1998-).                                            

Has the NAM achieved the objectives of its founder members?

Approach: Identification of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM). Highlight on its aims,

Give and explain its achievements and failures Standpoint required

NAM is the third bloc that was conceived at Bandung, in Indonesia, in 1955 when the cold war between the Eastern bloc and Western bloc was in progress. Founder members included Nehru (India), Ahmed Surkano (Indonesia), Nasser (Egypt), Jossip Tito (Yugoslavia) etc. There were also observers from Sudan, Ghana, Algeria, and South Africa. It was formed to struggle to stop the cold war, to help decolonise Africa, to make Africa and Asia influential in world affairs, fight for Palestinian rights, loby for China to join the UNO, to fight poverty etc.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The long period of existence of NAM constitutes one of the achievements. At the time of writing (2005) NAM has survived for 50 years; During this period, NAM has organised many summit conferences e.g at Belgrade (1961), Cairo (1957), Lusaka (1970), Algiers (1973). Colombo (1976), Havana (1979), and Kuala Lumpur [February 2003]. In these conferences problems affecting member countries have been aired.

NAM has increased membership. NAM began with less than 30 members at Bandung but in 2003 it had more than 116 members.

NAM has diffused/condemned conflicts/wars.

Decolonisation of Africa took a serious trend after NAM was formed.

NAM has become the official ideology of independent African and Asian states.

NAM has supported Palestinian rights.

FAILURES

Some member states were not practically non-aligned during the cold war. Many members turned to the East. E.g in the Colombo summit, 30 of the 86 members claimed to be socialist.

Some Non Aligned countries accepted to be used as military bases / entered into military arrangements with foreign countries. The Belgrade conference (1961) had agreed that Non Alignment meant not having foreign bases in one's country.

NAM has failed to completely end conflicts. Many conflicts have been witnessed between Non aligned members and other states, or within these member states or amongst themselves.

NAM has failed to destroy the relationship between member states with former colonial powers. Instead of co-operating within the NAM framework, member countries have maintained links with former colonial powers.

No doubt critics of the Commonwealth have referred to it as the 'wealth of the common whiteman'.

NAM has failed to completely decolonise. The countries that NAM aided have remained as neo-colonies.

Poverty has still persisted.

NAM has not succeeded in having many members on a permanent Security Council of the UN.

REFERENCES

·        Nyerere, J., Man and Development, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1974.

·        Nyerere, J., Ujamaa, Essays on Socialism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1968.

·        Nyerere. J-, Freedom and Socialism (1965-67), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1970.

·        Nyerere. J., Freedom and Development (1968-73), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1974.

·        Nyerere. J., Freedom and Unity (1952-65), Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1967.