AHG/Res. 99 (XVII) RESOLUTION ON THE DIEGO GARCIA The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity meeting at its 17th Ordinary Session in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 1 to 4 July 1980, Pursuant to article I, para 2, of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, which stipulates “The Organization shall include the Continental African States, Madagascar and other islands surrounding Africa”, Considering that one of the fundamental principles of the Organization is the “respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state”, Aware of the fact that Diego Garcia has always been an integral part of Mauritius, a Member State of the OAU, Recognizing that Diego Garcia was not ceded to Britain for military purposes, Realizing the militarization of Diego Garcia is a threat to Africa, and to the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, DEMANDS that Diego Garcia be unconditionally returned to Mauritius and that its peaceful character be maintained.