African Union is an organization that works to achieve greater political, social, and economic cooperation among African governments and peoples. The membership of the organization consists of 54 independent countries and a government-in-exile. The African Union, often called the AU, replaced a previous group, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), in 2002 (see Organization of African Unity (OAU)). The structure of the AU is similar to that of the European Union (see European Union (EU)). The AU’s headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
OAU leaders signed the Constitutive Act of the African Union in 2000. The act entered into force in 2001, and the AU officially replaced the OAU on July 9, 2002. The Constitutive Act outlines several objectives of the AU. These objectives include working toward further political and economic integration of Africa; defending the independence of member states; promoting peace, cooperation, security, and stability in Africa; promoting democratic principles and human rights; raising the living standards of Africa’s people; encouraging scientific and technological research; and working to eradicate diseases and promote good health. The Constitutive Act calls for the participation of African peoples in AU activities. It also states that the AU will reject changes of government in any African country if those changes violate the country’s constitution.
The AU’s supreme body is the Assembly of the Union, which consists of the member countries’ heads of state and heads of government or their recognized representatives. It meets at least once a year. An Executive Council, made up of ministers of foreign affairs and other authorities representing the member states, makes administrative decisions on behalf of the Assembly. The AU also includes a Peace and Security Council, which is modeled after the United Nations (UN) Security Council; a Pan-African Parliament; and an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Other administrative bodies, including financial institutions, are being established.
In 2019, the countries of the African Union established an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The agreement went into effect in 2021. The AfCFTA was designed to boost economic growth in Africa by making trade easier between the continent’s nations.
In 2023, the African Union joined the Group of Twenty (G-20), an international economic organization that promotes global growth and development. The G-20’s membership also includes 19 countries and the European Union.
