Introduction
The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as a major event in the institutional evolution of the continent. On 9 September 1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity issued a declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the creation of an African Union, in particular to accelerate the continent's integration process to enable it to play its rightful role in the world economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems, as well as some negative aspects of globalization.
The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify development cooperation; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States; and to promote international cooperation within the United Nations framework.
Indeed, as a continental organization, the OAU provides an effective forum for all Member States to adopt coordinated positions on issues of common interest to the continent in international fora and to effectively defend Africa's interests.
Through the OAU Coordination Committee for the Liberation of Africa, the continent has worked and spoken with a single voice and unwavering determination to achieve an international consensus in favour of the liberation struggle and the struggle against apartheid.
In search of unity
African countries, in their quest for unity and economic and social development under the banner of the OAU, have taken various initiatives and made substantial progress in many areas that have paved the way for the creation of the AU. It should be noted, among other things, that
Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) and the Lagos Final Act (1980); incorporating programmes and strategies for autonomous development and cooperation among African countries.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Nairobi 1981) and the Grand Bay Declaration and Plan of Action on Human Rights: two instruments adopted by the OAU to promote human and peoples' rights on the continent. The Charter of Human Rights led to the establishment of the African Commission on Human Rights in Banjul, The Gambia.
Priority Programme for Africa's Economic Recovery (APPER) - 1985: an emergency programme designed to respond to the development crisis of the 1980s, following the prolonged drought and famine that engulfed the continent and the crippling effect of Africa's external debt.
OAU Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes Ongoing in the World (1990): which underlines Africa's determination to seize the initiative, determine its destiny and address the challenges for peace, democracy and security.
The Charter on Popular Participation, adopted in 1990, reflects the OAU's renewed commitment to place the African citizen at the centre of development and decision-making.
The Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (ECA) - 1991: commonly referred to as the Abuja Treaty, it aims to create the ECA in six stages leading to an African Common Market using the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as constituent elements. The Treaty has been in force since 1994.
The Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (1993): a concrete expression of the determination of African leaders to find solutions to conflicts, promote peace, security and stability in Africa.
Cairo Programme of Action (1995): Programme for the Revival of Africa's Political, Economic and Social Development.
African Common Position on Africa's External Debt Crisis (1997): a strategy for addressing the Continent's External Debt Crisis.
The Algiers decision on unconstitutional changes of government (1999) and the Lomé Declaration on the framework for an OAU response to unconstitutional changes (2000).
The 2000 Solemn Declaration on the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation establishes the fundamental principles for the promotion of democracy and good governance on the continent.
Responses to other challenges: Africa has taken collective action, through the OAU, to protect the environment, combat international terrorism, combat the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, malaria and tuberculosis or address humanitarian issues such as refugees and displaced persons, landmines, small arms and light weapons, etc.
The Constitutive Act of the African Union, adopted in 2000 at the Lomé Summit (Togo), entered into force in 2001.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): adopted as an AU programme at the Lusaka Summit (2001).
The advent of the AU
OAU initiatives paved the way for the birth of the AU. In July 1999, the Assembly decided to convene a special session to accelerate the continent's economic and political integration process. Since then, four summits have taken place, leading to the official launch of the African Union:
The extraordinary session in Sirte (1999) decided to create an African Union.
The Lomé Summit (2000) adopted the Union's Constitution.
The Lusaka Summit (2001) outlined the roadmap for the implementation of the AU
The Durban Summit (2002) launched the AU and convened the 1st Conference of Heads of State of the African Union.
Vision of the African Union
The African Union's vision is that of: "An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, led by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force on the world stage."
This vision of a new, forward-looking, dynamic and integrated Africa will be fully realized through a relentless struggle on several fronts and as a long-term endeavour. The African Union has moved from supporting liberation movements in former African territories under colonialism and apartheid, as envisaged by the OAU since 1963 and the Constitutive Act, to an organization leading the development and integration of the continent.
The objectives of the AU
To achieve greater unity and solidarity between African countries and the peoples of Africa;
Defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States;
Accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent;
Promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;
Encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Promote peace, security and stability on the continent;
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;
Establish the necessary conditions to enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;
Promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;
To promote cooperation in all fields of human activity in order to raise the standard of living of African peoples;
Coordinate and harmonise policies between existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the progressive achievement of the Union's objectives;
Advancing the continent's development by promoting research in all fields, in particular science and technology;
Work with relevant international partners to eradicate preventable diseases and promote health on the continent.
The organs of the AU
The Assembly
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
Composed of ministers or authorities designated by the governments of the Member States. The Executive Council is accountable to the Assembly.
The Commission shall
Composed of the President, Vice-President, eight Commissioners and staff members; each Commissioner is responsible for a portfolio.
The Permanent Representatives Committee
Composed of the permanent representatives of the Member States accredited to the Union. The Permanent Representatives Committee is responsible for preparing the work of the Executive Board.
Peace and Security Council (PSC)
By decision AHG/Dec 160 (xxxvii) of the Lusaka Summit, July 2001, it was decided to establish the Peace and Security Council within the African Union. The Protocol establishing the PSC is in the process of being ratified.
Pan-African Parliament
A Pan-African Parliament and a body responsible for ensuring the full participation of African peoples in the governance, development and economic integration of the continent. The Protocol on the Composition, Powers, Functions and Organisation of the Pan-African Parliament has been signed by the Member States and is in the process of ratification.
ECOSOCC
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council, an advisory body composed of different social and professional groups from the Member States of the Union. The statutes determining the functions, powers, composition and organization of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council have been drafted and will be submitted to the Maputo Summit.
The Court of Justice
A Court of Justice of the Union is hereby established. The statutes defining the composition and functions of the Court of Justice have been drafted and will be submitted to the Assembly in Maputo.
Specialized technical committees
The following specialized technical committees are intended to deal with sectoral issues and are at ministerial level:
The Committee on Rural Economy and Agricultural Issues;
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 the Environment;
The Committee on Transport, Communications and Tourism;
The Health, Labour and Social Affairs Committee; and
The Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources.
Financial institutions
The African Central Bank
The African Monetary Fund
The African Investment Bank
The AU Commission
The Commission is the key body that plays a central role in the day-to-day management of the African Union. Among other things, it represents the Union and defends its interests; prepares draft common positions of the Union; prepares strategic plans and studies for consideration by the Executive Council; develops, promotes, coordinates and harmonizes the Union's programmes and policies with those of the RECs; ensures gender mainstreaming in all Union programmes and activities.
Members of the Commission
President ;
Vice President ;
Eight (8) Commissioners.
Staff members
Commission portfolios
1. PEACE AND SECURITY (Prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, and the fight against terrorism...)
2. POLITICAL AFFAIRS (Human rights, democracy, good governance, electoral institutions, civil society organisations, humanitarian affairs, refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons)
3. INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY (Energy, Transport, Communications, Infrastructure and Tourism...)
4. SOCIAL AFFAIRS (Health, Children, Drug Control, Population, Migration, Labour and Employment, Sports and Culture...)
5. HUMAN RESOURCES, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Education, Information and Communication Technologies, Youth, Human Resources, Science and Technology...)
6. TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Trade, industry, customs and immigration...)
7. RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE (rural economy, agriculture and food security, livestock, environment, water and natural resources and desertification...)
8. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS (Economic Integration, Monetary Affairs, Private Sector Development, Investment and Resource Mobilization...).
Sheikh Bedda
Director of Infrastructure
Email: BeddaC@africa-union.org
