Due to its already weak government the rebellion in Algeria caused France's Fourth Republic to collapse. Called back from retirement, General Charles De Gaulle arranged negotiations with rebels despite enormous resistance from the Colons. These talks led to Algerian independence on July 3, 1962. Over 1 million people died in the war caused by the rebellion in Algeria.
Meanwhile Libya had discovered oil in 1959, changing the once poor nation into a wealthy influential nation of the world. Most people in Libya were upset with the Monarchy that had since ruled Libya and were receiving most of the wealth from the oil. This discontent resulted in a Military take over led by Colonel Muammar Qaddafi in 1969. Qaddafi formed a socialist government and tried to spread his different idea of nationalism to other parts of Africa and the Muslim world.
After many of Africa's countries gained independence they did not know what to do. Many countries adopted the political borders drawn by previous colonial powers. This resulted in the division of people with similar beliefs and customs. Some African leaders wanted African unity, particularly Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea which invited 32 African countries to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU made a commitment to building a strong African identity and coordinating national defense, health and other policies.
Since 1963 the OAU has made many united decisions. For example, during the 1970s and 1980s, the nations of the OAU pledged to remain neutral in Cold War politics. Also they have pressured South Africa to end the Apartheid system, and a major achievement was the settlement of boundary disputes among member nations.
Beginning in the early 1980s, destructive and devastating droughts that destroyed crops and increased famine across the continent did not help Africa's already slow start. Also the wavering world economy as well as political and ethnic conflict negatively affected African nations.
