The African Union is a continental body of 55 member states that works through the Assembly, the Executive Council and its Commission

Background

The African Union is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent. It was officially launched in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity, which existed from 1963 to 1999. The OAU itself was created in May 1963, when 32 Heads of independent African States met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to sign its Charter. The Sirte Declaration, issued by the OAU Heads of State and Government on 9 September 1999, called for the establishment of the African Union to accelerate continental integration. The work of the Union is carried out through several principal decision-making organs: the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Executive Council, the Permanent Representatives Committee, the Specialised Technical Committees, the Peace and Security Council and the African Union Commission. Citizens and civil society take part through the Pan-African Parliament and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, known as ECOSOCC. Judicial, legal and human rights matters are handled by bodies that include the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, the AU Commission on International Law and the AU Advisory Board on Corruption, along with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Union is also working towards three continental financial institutions: the African Central Bank, the African Investment Bank and the African Monetary Fund. Agenda 2063 is its blueprint and master plan for long-term socio-economic transformation. The African Union Commission is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.