THE AFRICAN UNION(AU)
The African Union is an international organisation made up of 54 member States . The African Union was formed to replace the Organisation of African Union( 25th May 1963). It was formally formed in 9th July 2002 in Durban, South Africa.Its headquarters is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The purpose of the Union is to help protect Africa's democracy, human rights, sustain her economy by ending conflicts on the African Continent and creating an effective market for her goods and services.The current chairman of the AU Mr.Alpha Condé.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE AU
The aims and objectives of the AU are as follows:
1. To promote unity and solidarity among member States.
2. To defend the sovereignty and territories of member States
3. To eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa
4. To work towards a better standard of living in Africa
5. To protect the rights and freedoms of African citizens
6. To cooperate in the fields of diplomacy, economics, education, science, defence, transport and communications.
ORGANS OF THE AFRICAN UNION
In order to achieve its objectives, the AU has setup the folloy organs;
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The general assembly is the highest organ of the AU which is made up of heads of State and governments of member countries. It establishes other organs. The General Assembly meets once a year. Also they take final decisions on common policies, considers membership applications, adopts budgets and directs the procedure for resolving conflicts. The Assembly also appoints and dismisses judges of the Court Of Justice.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
The executive council replaces the council of Ministers under the disbanded OAU.The council comprises foreign Ministers of member States of the AU.The council meets twice every year. Also the council draws the agenda fro all AU meetings and conferences.
THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL(PRC):
The permanent representative council is an organ of the AU that has a seat for every member state. At the same time the PRC ensures that decisions of the General Assembly are implemented.
THE COMMISSION:
The AU commission replaces the General secretariat body under the dissolved OAU. The commission is headed by a chairperson and he or she is assisted by a deputy chairperson and commissioners of the various specialised commissions
Some of the specialised commissions of the AU are:
1. Commission on Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration
2. Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Commission
3. Communication commission
4. Liberation commission
The commission runs the day-to-day activities of the Union.The commission is situated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the premises of the AU headquaters.
THE PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT:
The Pan African Parliament is a wider Parliament compared to Parliament houses in the member States. Member of the Parliament are nominated based on merit from the member States of the AU. The Parliament adivices the AU Assembly and consults with other organs under the Union.
THE AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE:
The African Court f Justice comprises jurists (judges) selected from the entire African continent. The court settles differences between member countries of the AU. Also it interprets the laws of the AU.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:
The financial institutions are bodies eg banks or brokerage that offers financial services such as deposit taking, cheque accounts, loans or various investment services from AU members. The proposed AU financial institutions include the African Bank, The African Monetary Fund and The African Investment Bank.
OTHER ORGANS OF THE AU
THE SPECIALISED TECHNICAL COMMITTE:
It is headed by commissioners and it handles issues such as rural economy, agriculture, monetary and financial affairs, trade and immigration
THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
It handles all matters relating to governance territorial integrity and disarmanent.
THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL:
It promotes economic integration and the cultural heritage of member countries.
LANGUAGE OF COMMUNICATION:
The Au uses African languages whenever possible in its official work. Other working languages, used by the AU are, Arabic, English, French and Portuguese.
IMPORTANCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION
PROMOTES AFRICAN UNITY:
The AU promotes and sustains unity among Africans by respecting the sovereignty of each State and encouraging social , economic and political cooperation between members.
ACCELERATES ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL GROWTH:
The AU has accelerated social and economic growth of its member States. Cooperation among AU members, has led to increased investment in industry, agriculture and social infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools and banks.
CONTRIBUTES TO WORLD PEACE:
The AU contributes to world peace by settling disputes between member States and deploying troops to war torn countries. In May 2003, the Union deployed its first military peacekeeping force made up of soldiers from South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mozambique to Burundi which oversaw the implementation of various agreements. AU troops were also deployed to Sudan for peacekeeping during the DARFUR conflict.
PROMOTES GOOD GOVERNANCE
The AU also ensures that its members adopt democratic principles so as to promote the rule of law and good governance
PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE AFRICAN UNION
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES:
Most member States of the AU fail to pay their annual dues on time and this affects the work of the Union
POWER STRAGGLE FOR LEADERSHIP:
Straggle for political leadership in many member States of the AU has led to civil wars and conflicts. This affected the work of the Union because much of its little resources have to be spent on peacekeeping operations to restore peace to conflict areas .
LACK OF A STANDING UNION ARMY:
The AU does not have a permanent army for peacekeeping operations. Often, the Union has to rely on other groups such as ECOWAS and the UN to curb Conflicts on the African continent
LANGUAGE BARRIERS:
Members of the Au speak different languages such English, French, Portuguese and Swahili . the different dialects make communication at AU Meetings difficult and delay decision making.educationghblog.blogspot.com
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