AU: Towards an integrated, Prosperous & Peaceful Africa

AU: Towards an integrated, Prosperous & Ppeaceful Africa

By Bereket Sisay

In May 1963, thirty-two leaders from independent African nations gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to ratify the Charter that established the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the first continental organization formed after independence. The OAU embodied the pan-African dream of a united and liberated Africa that could determine its own destiny, a vision articulated in the OAU Charter.

Its primary objectives included the eradication of colonialism and apartheid from the continent, the promotion of unity and solidarity among African nations. It also sought to strengthen cooperative development efforts, safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states, and promote international cooperation.

Accordingly, the OAU actively supported liberation movements and the struggle against apartheid, providing a platform for Member States to adopt unified positions on issues of mutual concern in international arenas, thereby effectively defending Africa's interests. OAU, in addition to its significant contributions to the elimination of colonialism across Africa, played a paramount role in upholding the principles of member states’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

However, by the late 20th century, it became evident that the OAU was unable to meet the increasing demands of the continent and its people. Consequently, a transformation into a more dynamic organization was considered essential for the OAU to maintain its relevance.

Furthermore, African leaders became persuaded of the necessity for a new organizational framework aimed at expediting the integration process across the continent. This initiative is intended to empower Africa to assume its appropriate position within the global economy, while simultaneously tackling the various social, economic, and political challenges that have been intensified by certain detrimental elements of globalization.

This led to the establishment of the African Union (AU) through a transformation process initiated in May 2001, culminating in its official launch on July 9, 2002, in Durban, South Africa. The AU aimed to accelerate the integration process across the continent, enabling Africa to assume its rightful position in the global economy while addressing the complex social, economic, and political challenges exacerbated by certain adverse effects of globalization.


 

Launching the African Union

The decision to re-launch Africa’s pan-African organization was the outcome of a consensus by African leaders that in order to realize Africa’s potential, there was a need to refocus attention from the fight for decolonization towards increased cooperation and integration of African states to drive Africa’s growth and economic development. The AU is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”  The functioning of the African Union (AU) and its primary decision-making entities are of significant interest. The following section outlines the organizational framework of the AU, as well as its various activities.

The assembly

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the AU’s supreme policy and decision-making organ. It comprises all Heads of State and Government of Member States. The Assembly determines the AU’s policies, establishes its priorities, adopts its annual programme and monitors the implementation of its policies and decisions.

The Executive Council

The Executive Council coordinates and takes decisions on policies in areas of common interest to Member States. It is answerable to the Assembly. It considers issues referred to it and monitors the implementation of policies formulated by the Assembly. The Executive Council is composed of foreign ministers or such other ministers or authorities as are designated by the governments of Member States.

The Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC)

The Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) comprises Permanent Representatives to the Union and other plenipotentiaries of Member States. The PRC conducts the day-to-day business of the African Union (AU) on behalf of the Assembly and Executive Council. It reports to the Executive Council, prepares the Council’s work and acts on its instructions All AU Member States are members of the PRC.

Specialized Technical Committees (STCs)

Specialized Technical Committees (STCs) are thematic Committees and are answerable to the Executive Council. Each STC is composed of Member States’ ministers and senior officials responsible for sectors falling within their respective areas of competence.

The Peace & Security Council

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. It is a collective security and early warning arrangement intended to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict and crisis situations in Africa. It is also the key pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), which is the framework for promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.

Pan-African Parliament

A Pan-African Parliament is an organ to ensure 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.

The African Union Commission (AUC)

The African Union Commission (AUC) is the AU’s secretariat and undertakes the day to day activities of the Union. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Commission is composed of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and six commissioners, plus staff. The Assembly elects the AUC Chairperson and AUC Deputy Chairperson. The Executive Council elects the six AUC Commissioners, who are appointed by the Assembly. Commission members’ terms are for four years, renewable once. Elections and terms are governed by the AU Assembly Rules of Procedure the Executive Council Rules of Procedure and the Commission Statutes

The AU structure promotes participation of African citizens and civil society through the Pan-African Parliament and the Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). Organs that handle judicial and legal matters as well as human rights issues include:-African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR), AU Commission on International Law (AUCIL), AU Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC) and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.  The AU is also working towards the establishment of continental financial institutions (The African Central Bank, The African Investment Bank and the African Monetary Fund).

Ethiopian News Agency
2023