A reflection on the 50th anniversary of AAC

A reflection on the 50th anniversary of AAC
OR
A reflection on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Asian-African
conference and the birth of the Non-Aligned Movement

Hafid Abbas
Jakarta

With the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Asian-
African Conference (AAC) on April 19 to April 24 in Jakarta and
Bandung, it is relevant for us to look back at the ideas and
background of the AAC, which inspired the birth of the Non-
Aligned Movement. What has been achieved since and how relevant
is the Spirit of Bandung in response to present and future
challenges?

Reflection on this could enlighten us on the way forward after
the commemoration of the five-decade long Asian-African struggle.

AAC was convened during the Cold War between the two
superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Asian and
African countries decided not to get caught in the polarization
between the two. They determined to create new forces, maintain
their non-alignment and independence. This determination was
clearly reflected in the final communique of the AAC, which was
known as Dasasila Bandung or the Ten Principles of Bandung.

The Spirit of Bandung was the pinnacle of the awakening of
political awareness among Asian and African leaders who
indomitably positioned themselves as a non-aligned force, or the
Third World, which took no sides with the First World,
categorized as the capitalist world, or the Second World, known
as the forces of the socialist world.

The Ten Principles include: respect for fundamental human
rights and for the purposes and the principles of the Charter of
the United Nations; respect for the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of all nations; recognition of the equality of all
races and of the equality of all nations large and small; respect
for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or
collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United
Nations.

Other principles include abstention from the use of
arrangements of collective defense to serve the particular
interests of any of the big powers, and abstention by any country
from exerting pressures on other countries; and refraining from
acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any country.

The Spirit of Bandung gave political and social reassurances
to Asian-African nations aspiring for independence. They stood
up and fought for freedom, free from colonialism. In Africa at
that time, only five of today's 43 countries were independent,
South Africa (1910), Egypt (United Arab Republic, 1922), Liberia
and Ethiopia (1947) and Libya (1951).

The others were colonies of either Britain, France, Belgium
or Germany. Six years after the convening of AAC the then new
independent states along with other leaders of Asia and Africa
built a united front to, once again, reaffirm their collective
opposition to the hegemony of injustices under the two
superpowers. This turned out to be the main reason for the birth
of the Non-Aligned Movement, proclaimed at the first summit of
the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on Sept. 1 to
Sept. 6 1961.

The founders of the movement -- president Sukarno of
Indonesia, Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana,
marshal Tito of Yugoslavia and Jawaharhal Nehru of India --
determined to find the best solution to ending their dependency
on the superpowers. They, in unison in the framework of the
movement, in one voice, one spirit and one ideal, voiced their
non-alignment and denounced all forms of colonialism in line with
the Spirit of Bandung.

However, in the course of its long and winding history over
four decades, the movement was in a difficult situation, giving
an impression of sprawling its orientation, following the breakup
of the Soviet Union and its ramifications, leaving the United
States the only superpower. The struggle of the movement as a
force of developing countries was losing its momentum and focus,
and its vitality in the international arena was ebbing.

To make things worse, summits, supposed to be convened every
three years, could not take place in due time. In this kind of
situation, the movement appeared to focus on uncontroversial
issues, namely poverty, population, the environment, smuggling,
drugs, etc.

This situation dramatically changed following the Sept. 11,
2001 terrorist attack. The movement again repositioned itself to
find its place in the international arena, reactualization of its
spirit to promote justice in favor of weak nations. In the case
of Iraq, for instance, the movement discovered a new momentum.
The movement is in the business of redefining its role in a
world in which developing countries have to stand up for their
sovereign rights.

President George W. Bush, when declaring war on terrorism,
stated to all nations: "You're either with us or against us",
which created polarization and fragmentation of political and
economic forces on the basis of being an adversary or an ally.
This black-and-white dichotomy, enemy or ally, represented a new
predicament on the political map of Asian and African countries.
Countries that lack bargaining power were easily subjugated and
found it difficult to keep their independence and non-aligned
stance against the pressure and hegemonic political forces. Even
the United Nations, which is supposed to stand for justice and
serve the interests of all nations, in many instances, was unable
to maintain its impartiality.

The international political map has since changed
tremendously. There is no more disparity and no new emerging
force capable of contesting the mighty United States. Some
observers would like to see China someday become a new
superpower, one capable of challenging the United States. India
in collaboration with China could have the potential to challenge
the United States, but not in the near future.

The international political situation is a true challenge to
the movement. During the Cold War, the movement was a vehicle for
developing countries to promote their interests. The
commemoration of the Asian-African Conference should be regarded
the best momentum for the movement to reaffirm its commitment to
promote justice, peace and the eradication of all forms of
colonialism on earth.

The writer is director general for human rights protection,
Department of Justice and Human Rights, Republic of Indonesia.
His personal views are expressed in this article. He can be
reached at hafidabbas@yahoo.com.