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African Union

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lightbulbAbout this topic
The African Union (AU) is a continental organization consisting of 55 African countries, established in 2001 to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent. It aims to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and social matters, and to address issues such as conflict resolution, human rights, and sustainable development.
lightbulbAbout this topic
The African Union (AU) is a continental organization consisting of 55 African countries, established in 2001 to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent. It aims to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and social matters, and to address issues such as conflict resolution, human rights, and sustainable development.

Key research themes

1. How has the African Union evolved in its democratic governance commitments and practice?

This research area investigates the normative and practical evolution of the African Union's commitment to democracy promotion, especially its transition from the Organization of African Unity's non-interference principle to the African Union's more interventionist 'non-indifference' doctrine. It examines the AU's normative frameworks, mechanisms for preventing unconstitutional changes of government, and its actual responses to democratic crises within and beyond Africa. Understanding this evolution is critical to assessing the AU's role as a normative community and its effectiveness in fostering democratic governance on the continent.

Key finding: The paper identifies that while the AU has developed a robust normative framework—including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) and the principle of non-indifference which allows intervention in... Read more
Key finding: While the paper primarily addresses economic integration, it underscores normative commitment underpinning governance reforms tied to democratic principles critical for establishing economic institutions like the African... Read more
Key finding: This study provides empirical insight into how African agency is reshaping political and economic governance narratives by leveraging new partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. It identifies the increasing role... Read more

2. What are the challenges and prospects for economic integration under the African Union's framework?

This theme explores the AU's ambitious economic integration agenda, including the establishment and operationalization of the African Economic Community (AEC), subregional economic communities, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Research focuses on institutional frameworks, economic policies, harmonization, and the attendant societal impacts such as inclusivity, especially gender integration, as well as technological infrastructure's role in sustainable development. This body of work is vital for assessing the feasibility, progress, and barriers in deepening economic integration across Africa.

Key finding: This seminal paper critically evaluates the African Economic Community Treaty adopted under the OAU/AU auspices, highlighting institutional ambitions to create economic self-reliance and integration yet documenting faltering... Read more
Key finding: This detailed examination of ECOWAS chronicles its evolution from a trade-focused community to a multi-dimensional economic and political bloc. It finds that ECOWAS has achieved progress in harmonizing macroeconomic policies,... Read more
Key finding: The paper presents SADC's transformation from a coordination conference to a regional integration community, identifying key initiatives such as establishing a Free Trade Area and industrialization strategies. It documents... Read more
Key finding: Focusing on inclusivity, this study reveals that the AfCFTA's sustainable success critically depends on gender-responsive approaches, particularly integrating women into economic and digital trade activities. It traces the... Read more
Key finding: This policy-focused paper analyzes the aspirations and challenges of establishing an African monetary union, central bank, single currency, and related institutions. It identifies benefits such as enhanced trade integration... Read more

3. How does the African Union address peace, security, and human rights challenges within its member states and regions?

This research area centers on the AU’s evolving role in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, human rights protection, and governance within Africa. It examines institutional architectures such as the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and specialized courts, as well as implementation challenges. Key focus lies in how the AU and regional entities manage cooperation, address conflicts, promote stable governance, and reconcile institutional mandates with geopolitical complexities and emerging security threats.

Key finding: The chapter highlights how APSA, encompassing the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), has increased African agency in peace and security but suffers from normative and coordination gaps... Read more
Key finding: This comprehensive volume outlines the development, scope, and implementation mechanisms of the African human rights system, focusing on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the roles of the African Commission... Read more
Key finding: Focusing on cybersecurity as a critical component of governance and security in AU member states, this paper evaluates Lesotho’s current cybersecurity legal framework against global and African standards such as the AU's... Read more
Key finding: The article examines the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights' Resolution 630/2025 raising concerns about social media platforms’ reduction of professional fact-checking in favor of crowdsourced Community Notes... Read more
Key finding: This policy analysis charts the AU’s transformative shift towards health sovereignty and regional cooperation during public health crises such as COVID-19 and Ebola. It highlights institutional consolidation under Africa CDC... Read more

All papers in African Union

This chapter critically examines the securitisation of migration in Africa, focusing on this phenomenon's historical context, theoretical perspectives, and practical implications. It explores the emergence of migration as a security... more
A key question in UN preventive diplomacy is whether breaches of a State’s constitutional order can amount to a threat to international peace and security. The UN Charter does not create an automatic link between compliance with... more
Abstract This paper examines the role and effectiveness of the African Union (AU) in conflict resolution within East Africa, focusing on its experiences in Sudan, Somalia, and the Ethiopia–Eritrea conflict. It explores how the AU, as a... more
The resettlement of Ukrainian war refugees to Poland during the Russian invasion of Ukraine represents a significant humanitarian and geopolitical response to a severe crisis. Beginning in late February 2022, the Russian military... more
This article looks at the relationship between the United Nations and the African Union in peacekeeping settings. It also takes into account the role played by the regional economic organizations in this context. The article analysis the... more
Maana za vidahizo katika kamusi huelezwa kwa kutumia mbinu mbalimbali. Miongoni mwa mbinu hizo ni matumizi ya antonimu ambazo hutumika zaidi kufafanua vidahizo vya kamusi za lugha moja kwa sababu walengwa wake huhitaji kupata maana... more
West Africa’s path to economic integration is bold yet challenging. Since 1975, ECOWAS has worked towards a single, integrated market where trade flows smoothly across borders, businesses thrive regionally, and citizens share in greater... more
While corporate governance has traditionally been viewed as a cornerstone of Africa's development agenda, it is increasingly evident that governance, in isolation, is insufficient to address the continent's systemic challenges. Drawing... more
The study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF)'s interventions from a multidimensional approach that considers effectiveness, political implications, and the interplay of regional and national interests.... more
The article is dealing with the institutional failure in Madagascar. how it leads to corruption, Poverty, lack of government accountability, and the changing power of government.
Abstract The ongoing Palestine conflict extends far beyond regional geopolitics; it is a global economic event reshaping the dynamics of energy markets, trade flows, and financial stability. This paper examines how the recurring cycles... more
This paper analyzes the African Union’s Correct the Map Campaign (2025), which supports the Equal Earth projection as a remedy for the Eurocentric biases inherent in the Mercator map. The campaign is positioned within a wider decolonial... more
Right from when nuclear research began, discovered, developed and deployed, it brought to the fore the destructive capabilities of this latest discovery, while its peaceful means was also sought years later. Many countries of the world,... more
A new wave of coups d'état is sweeping across Africa, and it is unlike anything we have seen before. Younger participants, less violence, and more popular support are just some of the characteristics of this movement. Researchers and... more
The opinions expressed in this Situation Report do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute, * its Trustees, members of the Council, or donors. Institute research staff and outside contributors write and comment in their personal... more
Foreign policy has been defined by Holsti (1995), as the actions of a state towards the external environment and the conditions usually domestic under which these actions are formulated. In the same vein, Rodee (1957, in Obi 2015), sees... more
International integration-a process of shifting upward of sovereignty from state to supranational institutions, is a reality of modern day globalized world. Thus, states across the globe are increasingly getting involved in different... more
The adoption of the AU's Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) policy framework in 2006, in The Gambia, represents a milestone in the AU efforts to coordinate and support peacebuilding processes in Africa. The AU Commission,... more
This study examined the state of civil society organizations (CSOs) and consortia in Ethiopia. It looked at how they had grown, what structural problems they faced, how laws have changed, and what spatial differences exist. The study used... more
يتناول هذا المقال كتاب إفريقيا وإعادة النظر في العلاقات المدنية–العسكرية (2023م)، الذي يستعرض تحولات أدوار الجيوش في القارة من الانقلابات المباشرة التي ميّزت عقود ما بعد الاستقلال، إلى أشكال جديدة من النفوذ عبر الاقتصاد والسياسة والأمن... more
Purpose -The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how legal strategies can be used to enhance the effectiveness of value-added tax (VAT) and how taxation laws can synergise with economic goals to strengthen the economy.... more
A critical analysis of the work of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) shows that it is grappling with complex and multifaceted ethical challenges in its intervention work in conflicts throughout the African continent.... more
Why should any self-respecting African leader stand in front of the world to justify why the UN should be revamped, and African must have a seat in the UNSC? That act in itself is both immoral and self-insulting that only manifests the... more
Violence Against Children (VAC) remains a critical challenge across the African continent, requiring coordinated regional responses to complement national and continental efforts. This paper examines the pivotal role of Regional Economic... more
La gouvernance climatique constitue un cadre essentiel pour coordonner les actions face aux enjeux environnementaux mondiaux, en intégrant les responsabilités des acteurs publics, privés et de la société civile. Elle repose sur une... more
‘Development cooperation’ is one of the traditional policy domains of the European Union (EU). Over the years it advanced from an instrument used in colonial times to one of modern partnership, although European self-interest remains a... more
successful under article 4(j) than (h) because whereas 4(h) requires forceful entry into a sovereign state, 4(j) is a result of invitation by the state with problems. The ASF does not provide solutions to interstate conflicts. It seems... more
The African Union (AU), an intergovernmental organization comprising 54 independent states in Africa, was created in May 2001 to, among other things, promote regional integration, interstate solidarity, peace, and good governance, and... more
This article highlights the significance of African nations in today's geopolitical landscape. With the United States, China, and Japan actively involved in the African region and intensifying their collaborations, it is crucial to... more
Africa's demographic structure, dominated by a youth bulge, presents a critical challenge for sustainable development. With over 60% of the population under 25 and an imperative to create 18 million new jobs annually, conventional... more
In 2001, African leaders made a commitment to improving political and economic governance under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Among other aims, NEPAD seeks to promote governance reforms on African terms that will... more
In 2001, African leaders made a commitment to improving political and economic governance under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Among other aims, NEPAD seeks to promote governance reforms on African terms that will... more
ABSTRACT & RÉSUMÉ & ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Economic governance is measured by economic freedom, while political governance is measured by the electoral competitiveness index. How can political instability and poor governance in SSA be coped... more
The conventional economic integration theory posits a gradual deepening of economic ties between sovereign State entities through a sequential progression that commences with the establishment of loose cooperation ties, subsequently... more
The issue of humanitarian intervention, or humanitarian military intervention, has been among the most controversial and important issues in international law for years. The prohibition of the use of force and the principle of state... more
Since both modern and traditional ways of life are observed in Lesotho, community members often find themselves in a complex situation, being either citizens in relation to local councillors or subjects of traditional leaders. Local... more
El Sahel ha sido escenario de niveles de violencia organizada extraordinarios en los últimos años. Además, se ha convertido en un espacio de creciente competitividad geopolítica, con la presencia cada vez más importante de estados –pero... more
This study, which focuses on the comparison of the East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), seeks answer to the question of what are the critical points in the historical processes of these... more
This research explores the critical role of Intellectual Property (IP) asset financing in fostering economic growth and development, particularly within the African context. It underscores the importance of regional integration through... more
The United Nations of Africa: The Rise of One Africa, One Voice, One Destiny by Adrianus Andrew Muganga (Ramadan) is a visionary manifesto and strategic roadmap for African unity. The book examines the historical wounds of colonization,... more
This paper examines the evolving role of women and youth in South Africa’s democracy, more than three decades after the end of apartheid. Despite constitutional guarantees and the presence of Chapter 9 institutions, structural,... more
puede desempeñar un papel relevante. El argumento tendrá como puntos de referencia: el problema de la seguridad en el continente africano; la emergencia de CPLP como actor relevante en el continente; y la constatación de la necesidad de... more
Ce sujet s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'introduction des Nouvelles Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (NTIC) dans le système sanitaire dans le monde et particulièrement en Afrique. Cette réalité qui contribue à... more
The longstanding dispute between Ethiopia, on the one hand, and Egypt and Sudan, on the other hand, over the equitable allocation of the Nile River waters dates back to 2011, when Ethiopia, the upstream state, began the construction of a... more
This article examines Ghana’s role in applying International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within West African peacekeeping operations, situating its contributions within the broader regional security context. West Africa has experienced... more
Welcome to the NASRDA–ASEN2025 Conference, themed Astroscience on the African Continent: Elevating Education Across Africa. This landmark gathering celebrates Africa’s expanding leadership in space science and its transformative role in... more
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