THE AFRICAN UNION (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of fifty-five (55)

member states, all located on the African continent. It is one of the world's
most important inter- governmental organisation

It was announced during the Sirte declaration of 9th September 1999 in

Sirte, Libya

The declaration called for the restructuring of the Organisation of African

Unity (OAU) to be able to accelerate and deepen the processes of economic
and political integration which would result into economic prosperity and
poverty eradication on the continent.

This resulted into the establishment of the African Union (AU) on 26h May
2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it was launched on 9th July 2002 in
Durban, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES OF THE AFRICAN UNION

The vision for the African Union was to build on the OAU'S work, by
establishing a body that could accelerate the process of integration in
Africa, to achieve greater unity, cohesion and solidarity among member
states and the people of Africa. Hence, peace, security and stability on the
continent

The AU is expected to accelerate for the empowerment of political, social

and economic integration of the African states. Hence, needs to promote
and defend African common positions on issues of interest and its people.
For instance, to support the defense of the sovereignty, territorial integrity
and independence of its member states

To encourage its member states to honor international cooperation, taking

due account of the charter of the United Nations and the Universal

1
Declaration of Human Rights as to promote and protect people's rights in
accordance with the African charter other relevant human rights
instruments.

Promotion of democratic principles and institutions, popular participation

and good governance on the continent

To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its
rightful role in the global economy and international relations, for instance
the AU is expected promote sustainable development at the economic,
social and cultural levels as well as the integration of the African economies
to raise the living standards of African people

To coordinate and harmonize the policies between existing and future

regional economic communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives
of the Union

The AU was expected to advance the development of the continent by

promoting research in all fields particularly in science and technology. This
requires to work with relevant international partners in eradication of
preventable diseases and promotion of good health on the continent.

After looking at the objectives for setting up the African Union body, guide
learners to research on the challenges facing AU to meet its objectives, in
order to come up with the solutions to those challenges.

CHALLENGES FACING THE AFRICAN UNION (AU)

1. The issue of language barrier has proven to be one of the biggest

challenges of the Africa Union. Since member states or countries have
different official languages, it sometimes makes communication quite
difficult.

2. Insufficient finance is another major problem that is presently facing

the African Union. Member states are required to pay annual

2
 contributions to the union, but because f poverty and weak
economies, it becomes difficult for some member countries to pay
their contributions to the AU in good time. This leaves the AU
constantly in dire need of funds to carry out its work.

3. The issue of distrust among member states sometimes hinders the

smooth operation of the African Union. This comes normally as a
result of differences in political ideologies.

4. The fact that AU lacks a standing or ready army, it becomes difficult

to enforcing political decisions of the unions.

5. AU's interference from external forces led by Americans, Almost every

conflict in Africa today involves Western countries or has to be part of
finding solutions, which some experts consider not to be genuine.
Security agencies argue that it might be hard for AU to find a lasting
solution in Somalia as long as Americans are supporting the mission.

6. Africa Union faces post-colonial challenges, which are affecting most

of its member states. As a result, the continent can hardly enjoy
democracy, cross-border unity and genuine independence. A good
example is the case of Somalia, where neighboring countries like
Kenya cannot find peace because of endless war.

7. AU and its leaders are faced with how to respond to the job and
livelihood aspirations of Africa's youth who account for as much as
three-quarters of the labour force in most countries. Many have gone
to school and attended universities to become productive members of
society, but end up being jobless.

3
IMPACT OF THE AFRICAN UNION IN POST-INDEPENDENCE
AFRICA

1. It has promoted democracy and the rule of law among the member
states, resolving conflicts, keeping member states in the same
thinking cup for social and economic development as well as playing a
major role in pursuing peace and security among member states.

2. The African Union on 9th July 2002 at Durban, South Africa, adopted
a guide that led the establishment of the Peace and Security Council
(PSC) which became operational in early 2004. The PSC is a decision-
making organ of AU on matters related to prevention management
and resolution of conflicts in Africa. It is a collective security and early
warning arrangement intended to facilitate timely and efficient
responses to conflicts and crisis situations in Africa. Through this
committee, the AU has been able to promote peace and security in the
following ways on the African continent

3. It prevents conflicts and disputes as well as policies which may lead to

genocide and crimes against humanity.

4. The AU through PSC undertakes peace making and peace building

functions to resolve conflicts

5. It authorizes the monitoring and deployment of peace support

missions and lay down general guidelines for the conduct of such
missions.

6. The AU through the PSC intervenes in the affairs of a member state in

respect of grave circumstances namely: war crimes, genocide and
crimes against humanity.

7. The AU could institute sanctions whenever an un constitutional

change of government takes place in a member state.

4
8. AU ensures implementation of key international conventions and
instruments to combat international terrorism. For instance, it
promotes harmonization and coordination of efforts between the
regional mechanisms and the AU in promotion of peace, security and
stability in Africa.

9. The AU follows up on promotion of democratic practices, good

governance, the rule of law, protection of human rights and
fundamental freedoms and respect for the value of human life and
international humanitarian law in member states. For instance, it
promotes and encourages the implementations of conventions and
treaties on arms control and disarmament.

10. It examines and takes action in situations where the national

independence and sovereignty of a member state is threatened by
acts of aggression including mercenaries.

11. The AU supports and facilitates humanitarian actions in

situations of armed conflicts and major natural disasters.

12. The role of African Union in a move to promote diplomacy and

international relations among member states and the international
community has taken various steps for example;

13. Immediately after its inception in 2002, the AU became a

permanent observer at the United Nations General Assembly. This
represents the interests of member states in general. The AU
represents interests of African people at large in inter-governmental
organisation such as ECOWAS and EAC.

14. The African Union coordinates foreign policies of member states

towards each other with in Africa. It also maintains special diplomatic
relations with the United States of America and the European Union.

5
 15. In 2019, the African union developed a programme "Africa's
future in a changing global order; agency in international relations",
that focuses on support cooperation between the G20 and Africa with
evidence-based policy advice.

CHALLENGES FACED BY AU IN ENSURING PEACE IN AFRICA

1. The major challenge facing the African Union is the lack of funds to
finance their desired activities to strengthen peace in all its member
states.

2. There is a general agreement that the current financing arrangements

for peace support operations are neither reliable nor predictable,
especially in the context of high-tempo combat operations.

3. Post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) and peace

building are some of the most important challenges facing African
countries emerging from conflicts.

4. The traditional challenges to peace and security such as political

competition, ethnic tensions and electoral violence are now being
replaced by emerging non-traditional security challenges such as
terrorism and transnational crime, drug trafficking and complex
competition between super powers which has scaled up the
militarization of some parts of the continent