African Union – a Structural Overview

The African Union (AU) is a relatively new regional organization and succeeds the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The AU official website describes the organization as the “principal organization for the promotion of accelerated socio-economic integration of the continent, which will lead to greater unity and solidarity between African countries and peoples.”

Recent milestones in the evolution of the AU:

• The 1999 Extraordinary Session of the OAU in Sirte Libya decided to establish an African Union;

• The OAU Lome Summit (2000) adopted the Constitutive Act of the Union;

• The Lusaka Summit (2001) drew the road map for the implementation of the AU;

• The Durban Summit (2002) launched the AU and convened the 1st Assembly of the Heads of States of the African Union;

• At the Maputo Summit (2003), members agreed to many of the protocols establishing the AU institutions.

The organs of the AU:

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government – the supreme organ of the union.

The Executive Council – composed of ministers or authorities designated by a member government is responsible to the assembly. A permanent representatives’ committee is charged with preparing the work of the Council.

The Commission – composed of the chairperson, the deputy chairperson, and eight commissioners and staff members is the key organ playing a central role in the day-to-day management and harmonization of policies of the African Union.

Peace and Security Council (PSC) – established in 2003, is a 15-member, standing decision-making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. The PSC is supported by the commission, an advisory Panel of the Wise, a continental early warning system, a permanent African standby force and a special fund.

Pan-African Parliament (PAP) – is a permanent advisory body designed to ensure the full participation of African peoples in governance, development and economic integration of the Continent. The PAP is located in Midrand, South Africa. It is composed of 265 members, five each from the national parliaments of the 53 AU member states, with each national parliamentary delegation mandated to reflect gender balance and represent the party distribution from their respective parliaments.

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) – is an advisory organ composed of different social and civic groups (NGOs, cultural organ-izations, professional associations, etc.) to promote dialogue among the peoples of Africa. Although the ECOSOCC is an advisory body, the permanent inclusion of a forum for civil society within the architecture of the AU marks an important step in the AU’s evolution.

The Court of Justice – whose statutes defining its composition and functions were adopted at the Maputo Assembly in 2003, is still being established. The Court will have wide jurisdiction over disputes referred to it relating to AU treaties, disputes between member states, or involving a member state and organs of the AU, and other matters as agreed by member states. Cases can be referred to the court by members, the AU Assembly, other organs authorized by the assembly, the commission or a commission staff member, the Pan-African Parliament and “third parties” (with the consent of the member state concerned) under conditions yet to be determined by the assembly.

Financial institutions – include the African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund and African Investment Bank. An African single currency is envisaged by 2020.