During the Cold War period former Southeast European country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia established and maintained significant political, cultural and economic exchanges and relations with newly independent African states.

[1][2] While being a uniquely involved in the workings of the body the country nevertheless preferred bilateral relations with individual liberation movements.

[4] Yugoslavia, contrary to many Western Bloc countries in Europe did not have any direct colonial past which complicated relations between former Metropoles and newly independent states.

As the maneuvering space for neutral countries in deeply divided Europe was shrinking Yugoslavia turned its foreign policy focus on new allies among former colonies and mandate territories, primarily in Africa and the Middle East.

[5] Yugoslav architect Mario Jobst was invited to work on the conference center for the 14th OAU Summit in Libreville as well.