African Union Latest News: Recently, the African Union hosted its annual summit in Ethiopia.
African Union (AU),has recently gained significant global attention, especially following its induction as a permanent member of the G20 under India’s presidency.
What is the historical evolution and primary mandate of the African Union?
The African Union is the successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was established in 1963 primarily to end colonialism and apartheid.
- Formation: The AU was officially launched in 2002 in Durban, South Africa, following the Sirte Declaration (1999).
- Membership: It consists of all 55 member states on the African continent.
- Headquarters: It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which also hosted the most recent annual summit in early 2026.
- Objectives: The AU aims to accelerate the socio-economic integration of the continent, promote peace and stability, and defend common African positions on issues of global concern.
What is the governance structure and decision-making process of the AU?
- The Assembly: The supreme organ consisting of Heads of State. It sets policies and takes decisions on vital continental issues.
- The Executive Council: Composed of Foreign Ministers, it coordinates policies in areas of common interest like trade, energy, and social security.
- The AU Commission: The administrative “engine” of the union. It implements decisions and manages the day-to-day operations.
- The Peace and Security Council (PSC): A standing decision-making organ for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. It can authorize peace support missions.
- Pan-African Parliament: Provides a platform for people’s participation and civil society engagement through the ECOSOCC.
Why is the African Union strategically vital for India ?
- Agenda 2063: This is the AU’s blueprint for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse. India’s development assistance is increasingly aligned with these goals, particularly in digital public infrastructure (DPI) and healthcare.
- G20 Membership: India played a pivotal role in the AU becoming a permanent member of the G20 in 2023. This ensures that the “Global South” has a permanent seat at the table of the world’s largest economies.
- AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area): The AU is implementing the world’s largest free trade area. For India, this represents a massive opportunity for engineering exports (EEPC), pharmaceuticals, and technology services.
- Maritime Security: Collaboration through the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is essential to counter piracy and smuggling along Africa’s extensive coastline.
