The African Union succeeded the Organisation of African Unity, which 32 heads of state founded in Addis Ababa

Background

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
In May 1963, 32 Heads of independent African States met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to sign the Charter creating the OAU, Africa's first post-independence continental institution.
On 9.9.1999, the OAU Heads of State and Government issued the Sirte Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union.
The AU was officially launched in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa.
The OAU had focused on decolonisation and ridding the continent of apartheid; the AU turned attention towards increased cooperation and integration of African states to drive Africa's growth and economic development.