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A unifying force for Africa -

The African Union (AU) stands as a continental organization that brings together 55 African nations with the aims of fostering unity, cooperation, and collective progress. The African Union is meant to embody a shared vision of African prosperity and solidarity.

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Roots -

The African Union's origins trace back to the Pan-African movement, a philosophy that sought to unify African nations and people in their struggle against colonial rule and for self-determination.

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Establishment -

On May 25, 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded in the Ethiopian city of Addis Ababa. The organization was the precursor to the AU, and was created to support decolonization and foster unity among African states.

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Fighting colonialism -

The OAU played a significant role in supporting liberation movements across Africa. One of its major contributions was the end of colonial rule and the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, which was largely pushed forward by Nelson Mandela.

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Dictators' Club -

Despite some of its major accomplishments, many critics of the time argued that the Organization of African Unity had done very little to support the rights and liberties of the continent’s citizens. Indeed, the organization was dubbed a "Dictators' Club," as political leaders across Africa held significant power.

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Evolution -

In order to address emerging challenges like globalization, economic integration, and peacekeeping, the OAU was transformed into the African Union in 2001. This gave the organization a more robust institutional framework.

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Constitutive act -

The creation of AU was formalized through the Constitutive Act, signed in 2000, which emphasized unity, development, democracy, and sovereignty as its core principles.

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First AU summit -

The African Union held its inaugural summit in Durban, South Africa, in 2002, marking a new era of cooperation and collective progress for the continent.

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Agenda 2063 -

During the 50th anniversary of the OAU in 2013, the African Union launched Agenda 2063, which set out long-term goals for Africa's socio-economic transformation. It envisions a future where Africa is a global powerhouse, leveraging its resources, people, and culture for sustainable development.

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Transformative action -

Agenda 2063 outlines seven key aspirations on how to empower the African continent in the next 50 years. These aspirations have been followed with tangible goals like industrialization and youth development.

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1. A prosperous Africa -

The first aspiration of Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa where economic prosperity ensures that all countries and citizens on the continent have access to wealth, health care, education, and basic services.

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2. Political unity -

The second aspiration seeks to create a continent without borders, where political unity and the spirit of Pan-Africanism drive cooperation across the continent. All of this culminates in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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3. Good governance and democracy -

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 also aspires to an Africa where governments are transparent with their people, democracy is the norm, human rights are upheld, and justice systems ensure fairness for all.

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4. A peaceful Africa -

The fourth aspiration in the agenda envisions Africa as a conflict-free continent, where conflicts are prevented and peacebuilding is used to create a secure environment for development and prosperity.

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5. A strong cultural identity -

This aspiration celebrates Africa’s rich cultural diversity, and promotes unity in its shared heritage, traditions, and values, all while fostering pride in its historical and modern achievements.

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6. The potential of women and youth -

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 also places an emphasis on inclusive development, with a focus on empowering women and youth. The agenda believes that all voices have the capacity to shape the continent’s future, and that women and children are the catalysts for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

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7. Influential global player -

The seventh and final aspiration envisions Africa as a significant force on the world stage, respected for its contributions to global governance (as well as science, culture, and diplomacy), with the ability to shape international decisions that affect its people.

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Growing global influence -

Over its history, the AU has evolved into a key player in global diplomacy, ensuring that Africa's perspectives and interests are increasingly recognized on the world stage.

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Peacekeeping milestones -

The African Union has been instrumental in resolving conflicts across the continent, having deployed peacekeeping missions in regions like Darfur, Somalia, and the Central African Republic to stabilize war-torn areas.

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The African Continental Free Trade Area -

In 2018, the AU achieved a major milestone with the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which is aimed at integrating all the economies of Africa and reducing trade barriers between nations.

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Democratic transitions -

By observing elections and promoting fair processes, the African Union assists nations as they transition into democratic governments. According to the Freedom Index, only 11 of the 55 African states are listed as ‘free’ with full democracies.

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Natural resources -

Africa has had a tumultuous history with foreign entities staking claims on the continent’s land and wealth. As such, the AU promotes responsible management of Africa’s abundant resources to ensure they benefit all citizens and future generations.

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Education and literacy -

Through initiatives like the Pan-African University (PAU), the African Union fosters academic excellence and access to quality education across the continent. The PAU consists of a network of training and research facilities that award scholarship grants for the purpose of building the future.

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Protecting human rights -

In 1979, OAU established the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which sets standards to safeguard the dignity and freedoms of its citizens. This charter continues to be upheld by the African Union and has been ratified by 53 states on the continent.

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Public health challenges -

The AU has also been known to coordinate with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which responds to health crises. Their influence was exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic when they demonstrated their capacity to protect lives.

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Indigenous peoples -

As society becomes modernized, gentrified, and widespread, the African Union endeavors to uphold the rights and cultures of indigenous communities across the continent, advocating for their inclusion in national development plans.

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Space agency -

In 2010, the African Union set its sights on establishing a joint African Space Agency (AfSA). Although the AU adopted its own Space Policy and Strategy in 2016, the agency wasn’t officially founded until January 2023, with its headquarters in Egypt. The agency has taken major strides in contributing to the AU’s Agenda 2063.

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Celebrating African unity -

On May 25 every year, the continent celebrates Africa Day (formerly African Freedom Day) in a commemoration of the establishment of the OAU. Citizens around the world are invited to celebrate the progress made toward unity and development.

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A continental renaissance -

More than an organization, the African Union embodies Africa's collective dream of a brighter, freer, and united future for all its people. Every person is tasked with the moral responsibility to make life better, and the AU aims to do just that across the continent.

Sources: (African Union) (U.S. Agency of International Development) (Britannica)

See also: The most endangered animals in Africa

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