African Union and Regional African Organizations

Introduction

The African Union (AU) is the principal continental organization of Africa. It succeeded the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and provides a framework for political cooperation, peace and security, economic integration and continental development.

The AU currently comprises 55 member states representing the African continent. Its stated objectives include political and socio-economic integration, peace and security, democratic governance, human rights, sustainable development and coordination among African regional organizations. (au.int) (au.int)

Africa also contains several Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The AU recognizes eight RECs as important building blocks for continental economic integration. (au.int)

Core Concepts

African Union
A continental intergovernmental organization established to promote African unity, integration, peace, security and development.

Organization of African Unity
The predecessor organization of the African Union, established in 1963.

Pan-Africanism
An intellectual and political movement emphasizing solidarity, unity and cooperation among African peoples and states.

Regional Economic Community
A regional African organization designed to promote economic integration and cooperation within a particular subregion.

Organization of African Unity

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in 1963 in Addis Ababa.

Its historical priorities included:

• decolonization
• sovereignty
• territorial integrity
• opposition to apartheid
• African unity
• political cooperation

The OAU was transformed into the African Union in 2002.

African Union

The African Union (AU) seeks to advance:

• continental integration
• peace and security
• economic development
• democratic governance
• human rights
• sustainable development
• African representation in international affairs

The AU states that it seeks to coordinate and harmonize policies among regional economic communities. (au.int)

Pan-Africanism

Pan-Africanism emphasizes political, economic and cultural solidarity among African peoples and states.

It has played an important role in the historical development of African regional institutions.

AU Assembly

The Assembly of the African Union consists of heads of state and government and is the AU’s highest political decision-making body.

It provides broad strategic direction to the Union.

AU Commission

The African Union Commission functions as the AU’s principal administrative and executive body.

It supports implementation of AU decisions and coordinates continental programmes.

Peace and Security Architecture

The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) is a framework for preventing, managing and resolving conflicts on the continent.

It includes institutions and mechanisms concerned with:

• conflict prevention
• early warning
• mediation
• peace support operations
• post-conflict reconstruction

Peace and Security Council

The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) is a standing decision-making body for conflict prevention, management and resolution.

It is a central institution within the African peace and security architecture.

African Continental Free Trade Area

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seeks to create a continent-wide framework for increasing intra-African trade and economic integration.

It is associated with broader objectives of:

• reducing trade barriers
• expanding regional markets
• strengthening value chains
• promoting industrialization
• increasing intra-African commerce

The AU identifies establishment and implementation of the continental free-trade area as an important component of its economic-integration agenda. (au.int)

Regional Economic Communities

The AU recognizes eight Regional Economic Communities:

1. Arab Maghreb Union
2. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
3. Community of Sahel-Saharan States
4. East African Community
5. Economic Community of Central African States
6. Economic Community of West African States
7. Intergovernmental Authority on Development
8. Southern African Development Community

The AU describes these RECs as building blocks of African economic integration. (au.int)

ECOWAS

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organization focused on West African economic and political cooperation.

It has also developed mechanisms related to peace and security.

SADC

Southern African Development Community (SADC) promotes regional cooperation and integration in Southern Africa.

Its agenda includes:

• economic development
• infrastructure
• trade
• political cooperation
• security

EAC

East African Community (EAC) promotes integration among East African states.

Its areas of cooperation include:

• customs
• common-market arrangements
• infrastructure
• trade
• political cooperation

COMESA

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional economic organization focused on trade and economic integration.

ECCAS

Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) promotes economic cooperation and regional integration in Central Africa and also has peace and security responsibilities.

IGAD

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) operates in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas.

Its agenda includes:

• development
• drought resilience
• food security
• peace and security
• regional cooperation

UMA

Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) is a North African regional organization intended to promote cooperation and integration among its members.

CEN-SAD

Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) is a broad regional grouping covering countries in the Sahel and Sahara regions.

Regional Integration

Regional Integration refers to the process of reducing barriers and developing common frameworks among neighboring states.

In Africa, integration can occur at:

• subregional level
• continental level
• sectoral level

Continental Integration

Continental Integration refers to cooperation across the African continent rather than within only one subregion.

The AU and AfCFTA are central examples.

African Peace and Security

African peace and security cooperation involves:

• conflict prevention
• mediation
• peace operations
• early warning
• counterterrorism
• post-conflict reconstruction

The AU works alongside regional organizations and other international institutions.

Regional Ownership

Regional Ownership refers to the principle that African states and institutions should play a leading role in addressing African political, security and development challenges.

African Common Market

The concept of an African Common Market refers to a long-term objective of deeper continental economic integration.

The Abuja Treaty envisaged the development of an African Economic Community, with Regional Economic Communities serving as important building blocks. (au.int)

Overlapping Regionalism

African states often participate in multiple regional and continental organizations.

This creates overlapping regionalism, in which countries may simultaneously belong to:

• the African Union
• a Regional Economic Community
• other subregional organizations
• bilateral and international institutions

Africa and Global Governance

African organizations increasingly participate in global debates involving:

• climate change
• development finance
• international trade
• peace and security
• debt
• health
• food security
• reform of international institutions

The African Union’s participation in the G20 further illustrates the growing institutional representation of Africa in global economic governance.

Key Distinctions

Key Terms at a Glance

African Union, AU, Organization of African Unity, OAU, Pan-Africanism, AU Assembly, AU Commission, Peace and Security Council, African Peace and Security Architecture, Regional Economic Communities, AfCFTA, ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, COMESA, ECCAS, IGAD, UMA, CEN-SAD, Regional Integration, Continental Integration, Regional Ownership, African Economic Community, Overlapping Regionalism

Related Glossaries

• European Union and European Institutions
• ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Institutions
• SAARC and South Asian Regionalism
• OIC, GCC and Islamic Regional Organizations
• Global South and Emerging Powers
• Global Governance and International Cooperation
• Sustainable Development and SDGs
• Poverty and Global Inequality
• International Trade and Protectionism
• Multilateralism and Global Governance

Conclusion

The African Union provides the principal continental framework for African political cooperation, peace and security, economic integration and development. Its relationship with the Regional Economic Communities is particularly important because African regionalism operates simultaneously at continental and subregional levels.

For understanding African international relations, the key concepts are Pan-Africanism, regional integration, continental integration, peace and security architecture, AfCFTA and overlapping regionalism.