News In Brief

African unity group in financial straits

The Organization of African Unity faces a severe financial crisis that threatens the group's existence, officials said. In an opening address Monday, OAU chairman and Ethiopian leader Mengistu Haile Mariam told delegations from 50 member nations that they should fulfill their financial obligations to the OAU - amounting to $21.9 million in unpaid membership fees - as it was being progressively weakened by debt.

The OAU has a total deficit of $43.17 million.