One Nation. One People.
27 January 2025
The African Union (AU) is a continental organization established on May 26, 2001, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and officially launched on July 9, 2002, in Durban, South Africa. It replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was founded in 1963 to promote unity and cooperation among African states. The AU consists of 55 member states and aims to promote political and economic integration, peace, security, and sustainable development across Africa. Its headquarters is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Key AU institutions include the African Union Commission (AUC), the Pan-African Parliament, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Peace and Security Council. The AU plays a crucial role in conflict resolution, economic development (through Agenda 2063), and regional cooperation through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).