In a bid by African leaders to move Africa towards integration and sustainable development, the Constitutive Act and the vision of the African Union (AU) were adopted at the turn of the millennium. In order to achieve their objectives, they established several organs mandated to develop and implement priority strategies and programmes, one of which is the African Union Commission (AUC). The AUC has developed two strategic plans that aim to meet the AU’s objectives. In its second strategic plan (2009-2012), “shared values” is mentioned as the programme planned for 2011. In this policy brief we take a critical look at the shared values theme. Taking into account the history of the AU, we explore ways in which the idea of shared values itself as a target for Africa is problematic owing to the complexity and the particularity of values. The question is then asked as to whether democracy is indeed a shared African value that can unite Africa and Africans. In analysing the reluctance of AU member states to ratify and domesticate the Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the failures of the AU in dealing with the crises in Libya and Ivory Coast, it becomes clear that there is little consensus on the nature and importance of the value of democracy on the continent.

This policy brief is written by Africa Institute of South Africa.