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
The criminalisation trap in Africa’s responses to artisanal mining
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 28th October 2026 Crackdowns often punish miners who are trying to survive, fuelling crime and conflict while leaving powerful players untouched. Thirty-seven boys... →
Who gets to decide Africa's risk? A new rating agency enters the arena
28th October 2026 For as long as African states have borrowed on international markets, a handful of analysts sitting thousands of kilometres away have had an... →
Ethiopia’s transitional justice should resume, but not where it left off
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 27th October 2026 Public consultations on transitional justice laws should start only after National Dialogue recommendations, gaps and new developments have been... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South African President, opening remarks at the Virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government (21/10/2026)
23rd October 2026 We undertook to accelerate industrialisation, develop local infrastructure, transform agriculture and harness our minerals to drive the development... →
Are bilateral ties the route to renewed West African security cooperation?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 22nd October 2026 Pending the outcome of ECOWAS-AES talks, cooperation between neighbouring states offers a starting point for rebuilding regional security ties.... →
Africa needs more than envoys to secure the Red Sea
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 21st October 2026 The Horn’s proliferating diplomatic appointments have done little to bolster African influence amid new Middle Eastern alliances. In September,... →
Somalia says it will hold a presidential election in May 2027
By: Reuters 16th October 2026 Somalia's electoral commission said on Thursday the Horn of Africa country will hold a presidential election on May 15 next year. President Hassan... →
Libya’s arsenals are a blind spot in the Tripoli agreement
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 14th October 2026 Disbanding militias is key to the country’s reunification, but could lead to weapons stockpiles being trafficked into neighbouring countries. An... →
How Houthi military aggression in the Red Sea threatens Africa
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 9th October 2026 Growing ties between the Houthis and al-Shabaab could turn Red Sea instability into a more dangerous security threat for Africa. The United... →
Africa can see El Niño coming – will countries act in time?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 8th October 2026 Early warnings must be heeded to protect coping capacity and prevent a foreseeable shock from becoming an irreversible setback. A strong El Niño... →
