African Union (AU). Structure and Mission

The African Union was formerly known as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). OAU was formed on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to promote continental peace, unity and cooperation. It was formed when most of Africa was under colonial rule, in order to get rid of all forms of colonialism and white minority rule.

Zambia became a member on 16 December 1964. On 19 July 2002, the OAU officially became the African Union (AU), when OAU goal of independence of African countries was achieved. This was after the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994.

52 republics and two Kingdoms make up the members of the African Union. Three members’ states are currently suspended due to political struggles: Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic and Egypt. Morocco withdrew its membership of African Union in 1984.

Structure of the African Union

The AU organs include:

The Assembly

•Consist of heads of State and Government. It is the supreme organ of the AU
•Draws up the policies and decide on programmes to carry out

The Executive Council

•Consists of Minister or Authorities selected by the Governments of Member States
•Make decisions on policies in areas of common interest to the Member State

The Pan-Africa Parliament (PAP)

•Consists of 230 members from the member states
•Promotes the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa

The Africa Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

•Consists of 11judges from Member States of the African Union
•Protect human rights in Africa
•Decides on cases and disputes about the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human Rights.

The Specialized Technical Committees

•Consists of 7 committees, composed of Ministers or senior officials: Committee of Rural economy and agriculture, Monetary and Financial Affairs, customs and Immigration matters, etc.

Peace and Security Council (PSC)

•Consists of 15 Member States
•Responsible for promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.

The Financial Institutions

–Consists of three financial institutions: African Investment Bank (AIB), African Monetary Fund (AMF) and African Central Bank (ACB)
–Assists trade within the continent

The advisory Board on Corruption

•Consists of 11 members elected by the Executive Council.
•Deal with corruption and related issues in Africa

African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)

•Consists of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU elect the members of the committee.
•Investigate issues covered in the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the children Functions of the AU
•Promoting unity and solidarity of African states
•Coordinating efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa
•Defending independence
•Getting rid of all forms of colonialism from Africa

Objectives of the African Union

•Speeding up the political and socio-economic integration of African countries
•Promoting and defending common positions on matters of interest to Africa and its people’s
•Promoting peace, security and stability on the continent
•Promoting democratic principles and institutions and good governance
•Promoting and protect the rights of the people
•Promoting sustainable development
•Promoting cooperation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples
•Working with international partners to stop preventable diseases and to promote good health on the continent

How Zambia benefits from the membership to AU

•Promotion of sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels and the integration of African economies.
•Zambia enjoys greater unity and solidarity with other African countries
•AU helps Zambia to defend her sovereignty, territorial integrity and her independence
•Peace, security and stability in the continent which is promoted by AU.
•Zambia benefits from the research done by AU in different fields’ e.g. technology.

Benefits of Zambia’s membership of regional organizations

• Access a wider market
• Source funding for infrastructure development more easily
• Able to attract investment
• Access technical assistance and expertise from member countries
• Benefits from cross-border trade and investment
• Regional organizations promote tourism and immigration
• Studies of environmental problems such as desertification, droughts and deforestation are undertaken
• Benefits from research and programmes regarding diseases such as Malaria, HIV etc
• Standardisation and quality assurance of goods produced and traded within the Common Market.