What is the African Union?

In September 1999, the Organization of African Unity issued a Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union. Following the Sirte Extraordinary Session at which the OAS called for the establishment of the African Union, three additional summits were held. The Lome Summit (2000) adopted the Constitutive Act of the Union. The Lusaka Summit (2001) drew the road map for the implementation of the AU. The Durban Summit (2002) launched the AU and convened the 1st Assembly of the Heads of States of the African Union.

The objectives of the AU are:

• To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa;
• To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States; To accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; To promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;
• To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent; To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance;
• To promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments;
• To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;
• To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;
• To promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples;
• To coordinate and harmonize the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union;
• To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology;
• To work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent.

There are a number of different organs of the AU, in particular:

The Assembly: is composed of Heads of State and Government or their duly accredited representatives. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the supreme organ of the Union.

The Executive Council: is composed of Ministers or Authorities designated by the Governments of Members States. The Executive Council is responsible to the Assembly.

The Commission: is composed of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, eight Commissioners and Staff members; Each Commissioner is responsible for a portfolio.

The Permanent Representatives' Committee: is composed of Permanent Representatives of Member States accredited to the Union and is charged with the responsibility of preparing the work of the Executive Co5uncil.

Peace and Security Council (PSC): By decision AHG/Dec 160 (xxxvii) of the Summit of Lusaka, July 2001, a decision was made for the creation within the African Union of the Peace and Security Council.

Pan-African Parliament: is the organ ensuring the full participation of African peoples in governance, development and economic integration of the Continent. The protocol relating to the composition, powers, functions and organization of the Pan-African Parliament has been signed by Member States and is in the process of ratification.

ECOSOCC: The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) is an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of the Member States of the Union. The statutes determining the functions, powers, composition and organization of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council have been prepared.

The Court of Justice: A Court of Justice of the Union will be established. The statutes defining the composition and functions of the Court of Justice have been prepared.

The following specialized technical committees are meant to address sectoral issues and are at Ministerial Level:

• The Committee on Rural Economy and Agricultural Matters;
• The Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs;
• The Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters;
• The Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment;
• The Committee on Transport, Communications and Tourism;
• The Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs; and
• The Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources.

The Financial Institutions include: The African Central bank; The African Monetary Fund; The African Investment Bank

For more information about the African Union, see their website
[ www.africa-union.org ]