AFRICAN UNION (AU)

INTRODUCTION
The African Union is a continental organization consisting of African countries, created to promote unity, peace, security and development across the African continent. For beginners in International Relations, the African Union helps in understanding continental integration, regional peacekeeping, and Africa’s collective voice in global affairs. From an OPSC prelims perspective, AU is a high-value static topic due to questions on its origin, objectives, membership, institutions and comparison with its predecessor.

ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND
• Established in 2001
• Launched at the Durban Summit in South Africa
• Came into force in 2002
• Replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was formed in 1963
• Shifted focus from decolonisation to development, peace and integration

HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBERSHIP
• Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Total members: 55 African countries
• All African countries are members of the AU

OBJECTIVES OF THE AFRICAN UNION
• Promote unity and solidarity among African states
• Accelerate political and socio-economic integration
• Promote peace, security and stability
• Defend sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states
• Promote democratic principles, human rights and good governance

KEY PRINCIPLES OF AU
• Sovereign equality of member states
• Non-interference in internal affairs
• Right of the AU to intervene in grave circumstances such as genocide and crimes against humanity
• Peaceful resolution of conflicts

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE (IMPORTANT FOR PRELIMS)
• Assembly of the Union – Heads of State or Government (supreme body)
• Executive Council – Foreign Ministers
• African Union Commission – executive arm
• Pan-African Parliament
• Peace and Security Council
• African Court of Justice and Human Rights

IMPORTANT AU INITIATIVES
• Agenda 2063 – long-term development framework
• African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
• African Standby Force
• New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

INDIA AND AFRICAN UNION
• India is not a member of AU
• India engages with AU through India–Africa Forum Summit
• Cooperation in development, capacity building and infrastructure

CURRENT RELEVANCE
• Implementation of AfCFTA
• AU’s role in conflict resolution in Africa
• AU becoming a permanent member of G20

PRELIMS NOTES AND COMMON CONFUSIONS
• AU is not the same as OAU
• AU allows intervention in internal conflicts under specific conditions
• AU is a continental organisation, not a regional bloc
• AfCFTA is linked to AU framework

CONCLUSION
The African Union represents Africa’s collective effort towards unity, peace and development. For OPSC prelims, it is a crucial static topic because of its clear institutional framework and growing global relevance. A solid understanding of AU basics helps beginners confidently solve MCQs related to African regional organisations.
 

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Subject: International Relation

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