Fifty-five members and a seat in Addis Ababa: how the African Union is built

International Organisation International Relations Polity & Governance

Fifty-five members and a seat in Addis Ababa: how the African Union is built

Background

African heads of state are gathering with Russia's leadership in Moscow this week, with the chair of the African Union among those presiding, which makes the Union itself worth knowing. The African Union is a continental body of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent. It was officially launched in July 2002 at Durban in South Africa, succeeding the Organisation of African Unity, which functioned from 1963 to 1999. The African Union has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Member states: 55 Launched: July 2002, Durban, South Africa Predecessor: Organisation of African Unity, 1963 to 1999 Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Why it matters for exams: The African Union's membership of 55, its launch in 2002 at Durban, its predecessor the Organisation of African Unity and its seat at Addis Ababa are asked directly in world-affairs papers.

Kerala PSCUPSC

28 October 2026 Source: African Union

In plain words

AU African Union — The continental union of African states, launched in 2002.

OAU Organisation of African Unity — The body that preceded the African Union, from 1963 to 1999.