#Africa101 is an ongoing series of explainer articles for topics that are essential for understanding the current landscape and trends on the continent.
Photo: African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Paul Kagame/ Flickr)
Background
The African Union (AU) is a continental organization made up of 55 African countries, with the goal of promoting unity, peace, stability, and economic development across the continent.
Established in 2002, the AU succeeded the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which was established in 1963. The headquarters of the AU is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Organization objectives
The main objectives of the African Union are to promote peace and security, foster political and economic integration, and promote sustainable development across the continent. To achieve these objectives, the AU has several institutions and mechanisms in place, including a peace and security council, an economic, social, and cultural council (ECOSOCC), and a court of justice.
The AU also has a number of specialized agencies, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
Notable initiatives
One of the key initiatives of the African Union is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, increase trade and investment flows, and create jobs and economic growth.
The AfCFTA is the largest trade bloc in the world by number of countries, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the African economy. As of February 2023, 54 members have signed the AfCFTA agreement, and 44 have ratified it.
In addition to economic initiatives, the AU also plays a crucial role in promoting peace and security on the continent. Through its peace and security council, the AU works to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts, and to promote human rights and democratic governance.
The AU also has a peacekeeping mission, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which has been instrumental in stabilizing the country and supporting the government in its efforts to fight terrorism and promote peace and stability. In the coming months, this mission will become the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a collaboration between military, police, and civilians.
Why is the African Union important to today's Africa?
The AU is important to today's Africa for several reasons, including:
Political unity
While African countries represent a spectrum of governance, economies, and people, the AU provides a platform for their leaders to come together, work towards common goals, and speak with a unified voice on the world stage.
Promoting peace and stability
Through its peace and security council, the AU plays a crucial role in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts on the continent, promoting peace and stability and contributing to the continent's economic growth.
Fostering economic integration
As mentioned, the AfCFTA is a key initiative of the AU that aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, increase trade and investment flows, and create jobs and economic growth. Without the AU, such an ambitious and far-reaching initiative would face enormous technical and logistical hurdles to even reach consensus, let alone implementation.
Supporting development
Through the AfDB, NEPAD, and other agencies, the AU provides a number of mechanisms for African countries to work together to address development challenges and promote sustainable development across the continent.
Final note
While the AU, like many intergovernmental organizations, is far from perfect, it is an important institution for Africa, providing a platform for African countries to come together, work towards common goals, and promote peace, stability, and economic development across the continent.
As Africa continues to grow and evolve, and as integration efforts like the AfCFTA begin to pick up speed in coming years, the role of the AU in promoting unity, stability, and prosperity will only become more important.