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African Union

(in other official languages)
Arabic الاتحاد الأفريقي
Spanish Unión Africana
French Union africaine
Portuguese União Africana
Swahili Umoja wa Afrika
Flag of the African Union
Flag
Motto: "A United and Strong Africa"
Anthem: "Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together"
An orthographic projection of the world, highlighting the African Union and its member states (green).
      Member states
      Suspended states
Political centres
Largest urban agglomerations
Official languages
Demonym(s) African
Type Continental union
Membership
Leaders
• Chairperson
João Lourenço
• Commission Chairperson
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
• Parliamentary President
Fortune Z. Charumbira
Legislature Pan-African Parliament
Establishment
• OAU Charter
25 May 1963
• Abuja Treaty
3 June 1991
• Sirte Declaration
9 September 1999
• African Union founded
July 9, 2002; 23 years ago (2002-07-09)
9 July 2011
• Admission of Morocco
31 January 2017
1 January 2021
Area
• Total
29,922,059 km2 (11,552,972 sq mi)
Population
• 2023 estimate
Neutral increase 1,480,771,000
GDP (PPP) 2025 estimate
• Total
Increase $10.380 trillion
• Per capita
Increase $7,370
GDP (nominal) 2025 estimate
• Total
Increase $2.83 trillion
• Per capita
Decrease $1,930
HDI (2020) 0.577
medium
Internet TLD .africa
  • a Seat of the African Union Commission.
  • b Seat of the Pan-African Parliament.

The African Union (AU) is a group of 55 countries located on the continent of Africa. It works like a team for all African nations. The AU was officially started on July 9, 2002, in Durban, South Africa. It took over from an older group called the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was formed in 1963.

The main office for the AU, called the African Union Commission, is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The largest city in the AU is Lagos, Nigeria. The AU covers a huge area of about 30 million square kilometers (11.6 million square miles). This includes famous places like the Sahara Desert and the Nile River. More than 1.3 billion people live in the countries that are part of the AU.

The main languages used by the AU are Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili. The AU has important groups like the Peace and Security Council and the Pan-African Parliament. In 2023, the African Union became a member of the G20 (Group of 20) at a meeting in New Delhi, India.

What the African Union Does

The African Union has several important goals:

  1. To bring African countries and people closer together.
  2. To protect the independence and land of its member countries.
  3. To help the continent grow politically and economically.
  4. To speak up for Africa's interests on the world stage.
  5. To work with other countries, following the rules of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  6. To promote peace, safety, and stability across Africa.
  7. To encourage fair elections, good leadership, and people's involvement in government.
  8. To protect human rights, following the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
  9. To help Africa play a bigger role in the global economy and international talks.
  10. To support sustainable development and connect African economies.
  11. To work together in all areas to improve the lives of African people.
  12. To coordinate policies among existing and future regional economic groups.
  13. To help Africa develop by supporting research, especially in science and technology.
  14. To work with international partners to stop preventable diseases and improve health in Africa.

The AU has different parts that make decisions and manage its work. The most important decisions are made by the Assembly of the African Union. This group includes all the leaders of the AU member countries. The AU also has a group called the Pan-African Parliament, which has 265 members chosen by the national parliaments of AU countries.

Other important groups in the AU include:

  • The Executive Council: This group is made up of foreign ministers and helps prepare decisions for the Assembly.
  • The Permanent Representatives Committee: This group consists of ambassadors from AU member states in Addis Ababa.
  • The Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC): This is a group that advises the AU and includes people from different parts of society.

The African Union Commission is like the main office that manages the AU's activities. Its chairperson is Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Some AU groups are located in different countries:

  • The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is in Banjul, the Gambia.
  • The Pan-African Parliament is in Midrand, South Africa.

The AU has also sent soldiers to help keep peace in places like Burundi and Somalia. They also helped in Sudan during the Darfur Conflict before the United Nations took over.

The AU has created important rules and agreements for the continent. These include the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007).

How the African Union Started

Emperor Haile Selassie with President Jomo Kenyatta and others
African leaders who founded the OAU, the group before the African Union. Emperor Haile Selassie I (center) and President Kenyatta (right) are shown with other leaders.

The idea for the African Union began with the First Congress of Independent African States in Accra, Ghana, in 1958. This meeting aimed to celebrate Africa's freedom from colonial rule. Later, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed on May 25, 1963. Some people felt the OAU didn't do enough to protect citizens from their own leaders.

The idea of creating the AU was brought up again in the mid-1990s. Leaders of the OAU signed the Sirte Declaration in Libya on September 9, 1999, calling for the African Union to be created. This led to more meetings where the rules for the AU were agreed upon.

The African Union officially started in Durban on July 9, 2002. Its first leader was Thabo Mbeki, who was the head of South Africa at the time.

Since 2010, the African Union has been working towards creating a joint African Space Agency. In 2015, Barack Obama was the first United States president to speak at the African Union in Addis Ababa. He encouraged more trade and investment in Africa and praised progress in education and the economy.

How the African Union Works

The African Union has several official groups that help it run:

  • Pan-African Parliament (PAP): This group aims to be the main law-making body of the AU. It has 265 members chosen by the parliaments of AU countries. Its goal is to let people and groups have a say in how the AU is governed.
  • Assembly of the African Union: This is the highest decision-making body, made up of the leaders of AU countries. It meets once a year and makes decisions by agreement or by a two-thirds vote.
  • African Union Commission: This is the main office of the AU, with ten commissioners and staff. It is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It manages and coordinates the AU's activities and meetings.
  • Court of Justice of the African Union: This court was created to settle disagreements about AU agreements. It is planned to combine with the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights to form a single court for justice and human rights.
  • Executive Council: This group is made up of ministers from member countries. They make decisions on things like trade, social security, and communication.
  • Permanent Representatives' Committee: This committee prepares work for the Executive Council.
  • Peace and Security Council (PSC): This group was set up in 2004 to help prevent and manage conflicts in Africa. It can approve peacekeeping missions and take action in crisis situations. It has fifteen members chosen by the Assembly.
  • Economic, Social and Cultural Council: This is an advisory group with experts and community representatives.

The AU also plans to have its own financial institutions, including an African Central Bank, an African Investment Bank, and an African Monetary Fund. Eventually, the AU hopes to have a single currency for Africa.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was founded in 2016 to help with health issues. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights works to protect human rights. The African Space Agency was officially formed in 2023 and is based in Cairo.

Member Countries

Coup belt
Map of successful coups in Africa since 2020

All countries in Africa and on African islands that are members of the United Nations are part of the AU. This also includes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Morocco rejoined the AU in 2017 after leaving in 1984 because of the SADR's membership.

Sometimes, a country's membership in the AU can be suspended if there are problems with its government, like a military takeover. For example, Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon have had their memberships suspended at different times due to military coups.

Members

Observers

Leadership and Governance

A big discussion in the AU is about creating a "Union Government" to move towards a United States of Africa. Some countries want a strong central government with an AU army, while others prefer to strengthen the current AU groups.

The AU has also focused on connecting different regions of Africa. There are eight main Regional Economic Communities (RECs) recognized by the AU. These groups help with integration at a regional level.

The chairperson of the African Union changes each year, rotating among different regions. The current chairperson is Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania, whose term began on February 17, 2024.

List of Chairpersons

Chairpersons of the African Union
Name Beginning of term End of term Country
Thabo Mbeki 9 July 2002 10 July 2003  South Africa
Joaquim Chissano 10 July 2003 6 July 2004  Mozambique
Olusegun Obasanjo 6 July 2004 24 January 2006  Nigeria
Denis Sassou-Nguesso 24 January 2006 24 January 2007  Republic of the Congo
John Kufuor 30 January 2007 31 January 2008  Ghana
Jakaya Kikwete 31 January 2008 2 February 2009  Tanzania
Muammar al-Gaddafi 2 February 2009 31 January 2010 Libya
Bingu wa Mutharika 31 January 2010 31 January 2011  Malawi
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo 31 January 2011 29 January 2012  Equatorial Guinea
Yayi Boni 29 January 2012 27 January 2013  Benin
Hailemariam Desalegn 27 January 2013 30 January 2014  Ethiopia
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz 30 January 2014 30 January 2015  Mauritania
Robert Mugabe 30 January 2015 30 January 2016  Zimbabwe
Idriss Déby 30 January 2016 30 January 2017  Chad
Alpha Condé 30 January 2017 28 January 2018  Guinea
Paul Kagame 28 January 2018 10 February 2019  Rwanda
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi 10 February 2019 10 February 2020  Egypt
Cyril Ramaphosa 10 February 2020 10 February 2021  South Africa
Félix Tshisekedi 10 February 2021 5 February 2022  Democratic Republic of the Congo
Macky Sall 5 February 2022 18 February 2023  Senegal
Azali Assoumani 18 February 2023 17 February 2024  Comoros
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani 17 February 2024 Incumbent  Mauritania

AU Headquarters

The main office of the African Union is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A new headquarters building, the African Union Conference Center and Office Complex (AUCC), was opened in 2012. China built this complex as a gift. The main tower is 99.9 meters tall, representing September 9, 1999, the date the OAU decided to become the African Union.

Espionage Allegations

In 2018, a French newspaper claimed that the Chinese government had put listening devices in the AU headquarters building. The Chinese government and AU officials denied these claims, calling them "groundless." However, the African Union did replace its Chinese-supplied computer servers and started encrypting its communications after these reports.

AU Meetings (Summits)

The African Union holds regular meetings called summits. These are important gatherings where leaders discuss key issues facing the continent.

Niger, Niamey, Boulevard Mali Béro (2)(Rue IB-56)
A billboard in Niamey, Niger, announcing an AU Summit.
Session Host country Host city Date Theme Notes
37th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 1718 February 2024 "Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century"
36th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 1819 February 2023
35th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 56 February 2022
34th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 67 February 2021
33rd  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 910 February 2020 "Silencing the guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa's development" Agreement for African Continental Free Trade Agreement to become operational in July 2020. Agreements to reduce gender gap and inequality and to "silence guns" on the continent.
12th Extraordinary Summit on AfCFTA  Niger Niamey 48 July 2019 "Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa" Launch of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
32nd  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 1011 February 2019 "Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa"
11th Extraordinary Summit on AfCFTA  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 518 November 2018 Agreement reached on reorganisation AU Commission
31st  Mauritania Nouakchott 25 June2 July 2018 "Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation"
10th Extraordinary Summit on AfCFTA  Rwanda Kigali 1721 March 2018 "Creating One African Market" Agreement reached on the AfCFTA
30th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2229 January 2018 "Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation"
29th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 27 June4 July 2017 "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth"
28th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2231 January 2017 "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth" Morocco rejoins the AU after 33 years
27th  Rwanda Kigali 1018 July 2016 "African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women" Launch of African Union Passport
26th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2131 January 2016 "African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women"
Third India-Africa Forum Summit  India New Delhi 2629 October 2015 "Reinvigorated Partnership—Shared Vision"
25th  South Africa Johannesburg 715 June 2015 "Year of Women Empowerment and Development Towards Africa's Agenda 2063" Featured Angelina Jolie
24th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2331 January 2015 "Year of Women Empowerment and Development Towards Africa's Agenda 2063"
2nd Africa–Turkey Summit  Equatorial Guinea Malabo 1921 November 2014 "A New Model of Partnership to Enhance a Sustainable Development and Integration of Africa"
23rd  Equatorial Guinea Malabo 2027 June 2014 "Year of Agriculture and food security"
22nd  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2131 January 2014 "Year Agriculture and food security, Marking 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)"
Extraordinary Summit on the ICC  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 1112 October 2013 "Africa's Relationship with the ICC" This was in regards to the ICC's non-adherence to AU calls to drop certain charges against sitting leaders and claims that it was disproportionally targeting Africans.
21st  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 1927 May 2013 "Panafricanism and African Renaissance" 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Organisation of African Unity
20th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2728 January 2013 "Panafricanism and African Renaissance"
Diaspora Summit  South Africa Sandton 2325 May 2012 "Towards the Realisation of a United and Integrated Africa and Its Diaspora"
19th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 916 July 2012 "Boosting Intra-African Trade"
18th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2330 January 2012 "Boosting Intra-African Trade"
17th  Equatorial Guinea Malabo 23 June1 July 2011 "Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development"
2nd Africa–India Summit  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2025 May 2011 "Enhancing partnership: shared vision"
16th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2431 January 2011 "Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values"
15th  Uganda Kampala 1927 July 2010 "Maternal, Infant, and Child Health and Development in Africa"
14th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 25 January2 February 2010 "Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Development"
13th  Libya Sirte 24 June3 July 2009 "Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security"
12th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 26 January3 February 2009 "Infrastructure Development in Africa"
11th  Egypt Sharm el-Sheikh 24 June1 July 2008 "Meeting the Millennium Development Goals on Water and Sanitation"
10th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 25 January2 February 2008 "Industrial Development of Africa"
9th  Ghana Accra 25 June6 July 2007 "Grand Debate on the Union Government"
8th  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 2230 January 2007 1. "Science, Technology and Scientific Research for Development"
2. "Climate Change in Africa"
7th  Gambia Banjul 25 June2 July 2006 "Rationalisation of Recs and Regional Integration"
6th  Sudan Khartoum 1624 January 2006 "Education and Culture"
5th  Libya Sirte 2829 June 2005
Extraordinary summit on UN Reform  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 4 August 2005
4th  Nigeria Abuja 2431 January 2005
3rd  Ethiopia Addis Ababa 68 July 2004
2nd  Mozambique Maputo 212 July 2003
1st  South Africa Durban 28 June 200210 July 2002 "Peace, Development and Prosperity: The African Century" Notable events include the launch of the African Union.

Global Partnerships

The African Union works with many other international groups and countries. It represents Africa's interests in global discussions.

Africa and the Caribbean

Many Caribbean nations want to build stronger ties with Africa. The AU sees the Caribbean as a possible "Sixth Region" of the group. Some Caribbean countries have joined African financial groups, like the African Export–Import Bank.

Africa and China

People's Republic of China (PRC) is a major economic partner for Africa. The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation helps coordinate their relationship.

Africa and Europe

The European Union sees its relationship with Africa as very important. They work together on things like green energy, digital technology, jobs, peace, and security. They also partner on managing natural resources and dealing with climate change.

Africa and India

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the First India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on April 08, 2008
The first India–Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, 2008.

The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is the main platform for relations between Africa and India. These summits happen every three years. In 2023, the African Union became a member of the G20 under India's leadership.

Africa and Palestine

The African Union often invites the President of the State of Palestine to speak at its annual summit. The AU has called for an end to fighting and supports the idea of an independent Palestinian state.

Africa and Russia

Russia has hosted summits with African leaders to strengthen their relationship. The second Russia-Africa Summit took place in July 2023.

Africa and South Korea

The first South Korea–Africa Summit was held in Seoul in June 2024.

Africa and Turkey

Turkey and Africa have grown closer since 2008. Turkey has many embassies and commercial offices in African countries.

Africa and the United States

P20221215AS-1181 (52651359240)
AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki, US President Joe Biden and African leaders at the United States–Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., 2022.

The African Union works with the United States on various issues. In 2017, when the US issued a travel ban affecting some African countries, African leaders expressed their concerns.

Military and Peacekeeping Efforts

The African Union has the power to step in militarily in member countries in serious situations, like war crimes or genocide. The Peace and Security Council is the main group that handles these decisions.

Peacekeeping Missions

The AU has sent peacekeeping forces to different countries to help maintain stability.

  • Togo: In 2005, when the president of Togo died and his son took over, the AU called it a military takeover. The AU's protest helped lead to elections.
  • Mauritania: The AU suspended Mauritania's membership twice after military takeovers in 2005 and 2008. Membership was restored when the country returned to democratic rule.
  • Mali: After a military takeover in 2012 and fighting with extremist groups, the AU helped form a temporary government and supported elections. AU forces have also worked to fight against rebel groups in Mali.
  • Somalia: Since 2007, the AU has had a peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to help the government and provide aid. They have fought against the extremist group al-Shabaab and helped take back important cities.
  • Anjouan, Comoros: In 2008, the AU and Comoros forces successfully intervened in Anjouan to remove a self-declared president whose election was illegal.

The AU is also working to create an African Standby Force (ASF). This force would be ready to deploy quickly in emergencies, especially in cases of human rights violations.

Darfur, Sudan

Eritrea - Flickr - Al Jazeera English
A scene from Eritrea.

The AU sent 7,000 peacekeepers to Darfur, Sudan, to help with the conflict there. These forces faced challenges due to lack of funds and resources. The mission later merged with a United Nations mission.

Chagos Islands Dispute

The AU has urged the United Kingdom to follow a UN resolution to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. The UK and Mauritius disagree about who owns these islands.

Current Challenges

The AU faces many challenges, including health issues like fighting malaria and AIDS/HIV; political issues like dealing with conflicts; economic issues like improving living standards; and environmental issues like famines and desertification.

Corruption

There have been concerns about corruption within the African Union. Some staff members have raised issues about how the organization is managed.

Libyan Crisis

In 2011, when conflict started in Libya, the AU was criticized for not acting quickly. The AU tried to help find a peaceful solution, but a military intervention led by NATO made it difficult. The AU later recognized the new government in Libya and continues to work towards peace in the country.

African Geography

Regions of the African Union
Regions of the African Union:
 Northern Region (Sahara) 
 Southern Region (Kalahari) 
 Eastern Region (Nile) 
 Western Regions A and B (Niger and Volta Niger) 
 Central Region (Congo) 

The countries of the African Union cover almost all of the African continent. This includes diverse landscapes like the world's largest hot desert, the Sahara, vast jungles, savannas, and the world's longest river, the Nile.

The AU covers an area of nearly 30 million square kilometers (11.6 million square miles). Most of this land is on the African mainland.

African Economy

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was created among 54 of the 55 AU nations. This agreement aims to make trade easier between African countries, starting in 2021. The AU's future goals include creating a single market, a central bank, and a common currency for Africa.

African People

Population and Movement

The total population of the African Union is estimated to be over 1.25 billion people. In 2018, the African Union adopted the Free Movement Protocol. This agreement allows people to move freely between AU countries.

The AU also has a Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) to help manage movement of people. Many countries have also signed the Kampala Convention, which focuses on helping people who have been forced to leave their homes within their own countries.

Since 2016, the African Union has introduced continent-wide passports. As of 2025, there has been a push to fully put the Free Movement Protocol into action.

Languages

The official languages of the African Union are Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and "any other African language." English and French are the main working languages.

The African Academy of Languages, founded in 2001, helps promote the use of African languages. The AU declared 2006 the Year of African Languages.

Health

Combating AIDS in Africa

HIV in Africa 2011
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Africa (2011).
     over 15%      5–15%      2–5%      1–2%      0.5–1%      0.1–0.5%      not available

The AU has been very active in fighting the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In 2001, it created AIDS Watch Africa to help coordinate efforts across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected region.

In 2007, the AU launched new plans to fight AIDS, including training more community health workers. In 2012, the AU created a "roadmap" to help African countries take more responsibility for funding and managing their responses to AIDS, TB, and Malaria. This roadmap focuses on getting more money, making medicines affordable, and improving health leadership.

COVID-19 Pandemic

By February 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa had caused millions of cases and many deaths. The pandemic also greatly affected economies across Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been working to help countries respond to the pandemic.

African Culture

Symbols

Emblem of the African Union
Emblem of the African Union

The emblem of the African Union has a gold ribbon, red rings, palm leaves, and a green circle with a gold map of Africa. The red rings show African unity and the sacrifices made for freedom. The palm leaves represent peace, gold stands for Africa's wealth, and green for its hopes. The map of Africa has no internal borders to show unity.

The African Union adopted its current flag in 2010. It has a green background, symbolizing hope, and stars that represent the member states. The previous flag also used green, gold, and white, which are often seen as the "national colors" of Africa.

The African Union's anthem is "Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together".

Celebrations

Africa Day is celebrated every year on May 25. It marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. Other celebrations in Africa include:

  • The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music: A week-long event for different cultures, with music, dancing, and art.
  • The Knysna Oyster festival: Held in Knysna, focusing on sports, food, and oysters.
  • Lake of Stars Festival: A three-day music festival in Lake Malawi, featuring African music.
  • Fête du Vodoun: Also known as the Ouidah Voodoo Festival, with rituals, horse races, and traditional drumming.
  • Umhlanga (ceremony): A private event for young women, with public traditions on certain days.
  • African Border Day: Celebrated annually on June 7 to promote peace and cooperation between African countries.
  • Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival: Held in Kenya, celebrating harmony among tribes with singing, dancing, and traditional costumes.
  • Enkutatash: The Ethiopian New Year, celebrated on September 11 (or September 12 in the year before a leap year).

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Unión Africana para niños

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