African Union
The African Union is a continental organisation comprising 55 member states that aims to promote unity, peace, security and socioeconomic development across Africa. Established in 2002 in Durban, South Africa, the AU succeeded the Organisation of African Unity, which had been founded in 1963 to advance decolonisation and solidarity among newly independent African states. The AU's headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and its principal decision-making body is the Assembly of the African Union, composed of heads of state and government who meet at least once a year. The organisation's mandate encompasses conflict prevention and resolution, promotion of democratic governance and human rights, economic integration and the coordination of development policies across the continent. Key organs include the Pan-African Parliament, the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, the Peace and Security Council and the African Union Commission, which serves as the secretariat. The AU has deployed peacekeeping missions in conflict zones, mediated political crises and championed initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and AU Agenda 2063, a fifty-year development blueprint. Funding comes from member-state contributions, though the organisation has historically faced challenges with arrears and reliance on external donors. The AU plays a central role in representing African interests in global forums and fostering regional integration through partnerships with regional economic communities such as the Southern African Development Community. Its vision is of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens.
African Union Updates
African Union to launch African credit rating agency in October, adviser says
By: Reuters 26th August 2026 The African Peer Review Mechanism - an African Union-backed initiative - will launch a continent-wide credit ratings agency in October, a senior... →
Hichilema wins a stronger mandate, but Zambia’s democratic test isn’t over
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 25th August 2026 Late electoral reforms and weak checks on power expose democratic fault lines and raise the stakes for Hichilema’s second term. Zambia’s 13 August... →
SADC’s geopolitical moment will not wait
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 24th August 2026 The Durban summit identified the right economic priorities, but a geopolitical strategy and credible regional security approach are lacking. This... →
Millions of Africans are displaced without crossing a border – and their needs are often overlooked
19th August 2026 The eruption of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026 sparked a major crisis.... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Welcome address by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, Ethekwini, South Africa (17/08/2026)
17th August 2026 Programme Director, Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His... →
Could the AU’s return to Khartoum bring Sudan closer to peace?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 17th August 2026 Reopening its liaison office offers a narrow, but real, opportunity for the African Union to help achieve a ceasefire. The African Union’s (AU)... →
US-China rivalry puts Africa’s climate diplomacy to the test
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 17th August 2026 Current geopolitical tensions could be catastrophic for climate action, especially Africa’s renewable energy transition. Climate action,... →
Africans migrate for jobs mostly within the continent: why regional skills partnerships are needed
13th August 2026 In 2024, 25.1-million Africans were living in other countries on the continent. Labour migration has long been a defining feature of Africa’s... →
Will Kenya investigate and prosecute Sudan’s RSF?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 12th August 2026 Prosecuting Rapid Support Forces members in Kenya won’t be easy, but will ultimately depend more on politics than on law or capacity. In June, two... →
2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report
12th August 2026 This 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report is released as African countries advance through the final phase of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable... →
