African Union

Overview

1. To achieve greater unity, cohesion and solidarity among the African countries and African nations.
2. To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States.
3. To accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent.
4. To promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples.
5. To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
6. To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent.
7. To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance.
8. To promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.
9. To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations.
10. To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies.
11. To promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African people.
12. To coordinate and harmonise the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union.
13. To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology.
14. To work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent.

• the Executive Council, made up of foreign ministers, which prepares decisions for the Assembly;
• the Permanent Representatives Committee, made up of the ambassadors to Addis Ababa of AU member states; and
• the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council, a civil society consultative body.

• the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is based in Banjul, the Gambia; and
• the New Partnership for Africa's Development and APRM Secretariats and the Pan-African Parliament are in Midrand, South Africa.

History

Treaties

Politics

• African Central Bank – Abuja, Nigeria
• African Investment Bank – Tripoli, Libya
• African Monetary Fund – Yaoundé, Cameroon

Member states

Members

• Observers

• Governance

• Accelerate the economic and political integration of the African continent, including the formation of a Union Government of Africa;
• Conduct an audit of the institutions and organs of the AU; review the relationship between the AU and the RECs; find ways to strengthen the AU and elaborate a timeframe to establish a Union Government of Africa.

Role of African Union

• Arab Maghreb Union
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
• Community of Sahel-Saharan States
• East African Community
• Economic Community of Central African States
• Economic Community of West African States
• Intergovernmental Authority on Development
• Southern Africa Development Community

Selection of the chairperson

List of chairpersons

Name	Beginning of term	End of term	Country
Thabo Mbeki	9 July 2002	10 July 2003	South Africa Headquarters The main administrative capital of the African Union is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the African Union Commission is headquartered. A new headquarters complex, the AU Conference Center and Office Complex, was inaugurated on 28 January 2012, during the 18th AU summit. The complex was built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation as a gift from the Chinese government, and accommodates, among other facilities, a 2,500-seat plenary hall and a 20-story office tower. The tower is 99.9 meters high to signify the date 9 September 1999, when the Organisation of African Unity voted to become the African Union. The building cost US$200 million to construct. Espionage accusations On 26 January 2018, five years after the completion of the building of the AU Headquarters, the French newspaper Le Monde published an article stating that the Chinese government had heavily bugged the building, installing listening devices in the walls and furniture and setting up the computer system to copy data to servers in Shanghai daily. The Chinese government denied that they bugged the building, stating that the accusations were "utterly groundless and ridiculous". Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn rejected the French media report. Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of the African Union Commission, said the allegations in the Le Mondes report were false. "These are totally false allegations and I believe that we are completely disregarding them." The African Union replaced its Chinese-supplied servers and started encrypting its communications following the event. African Union summits Session Host country Host city Date Theme Notes 37th Ethiopiadts|17 February 2024|format=ddts|18 February 2024 Foreign relations The individual member states of the African Union coordinate foreign policy through this agency, in addition to conducting their own international relations on a state-by-state basis. The AU represents the interests of African peoples at large in intergovernmental organisations ; for instance, it is a permanent observer at the United Nations General Assembly. Both the African Union and the United Nations work in tandem to address issues of common concerns in various areas. The African Union Mission to the United Nations aspires to serve as a bridge between the two organisations. Membership of the AU overlaps with other IGOs, and occasionally, these third-party organisations and the AU will coordinate on matters of public policy. The African Union maintains special diplomatic representation with the United States and the European Union. Africa–Caribbean relations Many Caribbean nations have sought to deepen ties with the continent of Africa. The African Union has referred to the Caribbean as the potential "Sixth Region" of the bloc. Some Caribbean nations moved to join African institutions, including Barbados, the Bahamas and Guyana, which all became members of the African Export–Import Bank. Also, the Caribbean Development Bank signed a cooperation strategic partnership agreement with the African Development Bank. Antigua and Barbuda has also shown interest in a direct transport link between Africa and the Caribbean. However, it has resulted in some challenges regarding migration. Africa–China relations One of the leading economic partners of the continent has been the People's Republic of China. The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation is the main multi-lateral coordination mechanism between the African countries and China. Since joining FOCAC in 2012, the African Union has increasingly played a coordinating role, although each African country in FOCAC continues to represent itself individually. Africa–EU relations For the European Commission, the European Union's relationship with Africa is a key priority. The future Africa-EU partnership vision of the European Commission and the European External Action Service is outlined in the Joint Communication "Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa". It proposes partnering on: Green Transition and Energy Access Digital Transformation Sustainable Growth and Jobs Peace, Security and Governance Migration and Mobility On 2 December 2020, five Africa-Europe Foundation Strategy Groups were established in the areas of Health, Digital, Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable energy and Transport and Connectivity. It was done together with a consortium comprising Friends of Europe, Mo Ibrahim Foundation and IPEMED. In regards to strengthening resilience, peace, security and governance, the African Union and the European Union recognize that resilience, peace, security and governance are all closely linked. Peace and security are important elements for sustainable development, prosperity and resilience of societies. For ensuring peace and security, it had worked out the African Peace Facility. This has been itself replaced in 2021 by the European Peace Facility. The AU and EU are also partnering on promoting sustainable resources management, environmental resilience, and climate change mitigation The Africa Adaptation Initiative is also being supported by the European Union. Africa–India relations The India–Africa Forum Summit is the official platform for Africa-India relations. IAFS is held once in every three years. It was first held from April 4 to April 8, 2008 in New Delhi, India. In 2015, the Third India-Africa Forum Summit was held in New Delhi and summit was attended by 51 heads of states of the African Union. In 2023, the African Union was admitted to G20 under the presidency of India, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Africa–Palestine relations The African Union periodically invites the President of the State of Palestine to make an opening speech during its annual Summit in Addis Ababa. According to Article 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the Union, during the opening of the meeting sessions, the President of the State of Palestine in person is entitled to make an opening speech. After the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki expressed his "utmost concern" at the situation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities; additionally, he recalled that denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly that of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, was the "main cause of the permanent Israeli-Palestinian tension". Africa–Russia relations Russia hosted the first Africa-Russia heads-of-state summit on October 23–24, 2019, Representatives from all 54 African states, including 43 heads-of-state or government, attended the summit. The second Russia-Africa Summit was scheduled for October 2022 in Addis Ababa, but was then rescheduled to 26–29 July 2023 in Saint Petersburg. Africa–South Korea relations The first summit was the South Korea–Africa Summit, Seoul in June 2024. Africa–Turkey relations Turkey–Africa relations have gained substantial momentum since the declaration of Turkey as a strategic partner of the continent by the African Union in January 2008. Since 2008, various major summits and meetings have been taking place between Turkey and AU. The first summit was The Turkey–Africa Cooperation summit, Istanbul in August 2008. As of 2020, Turkey has embassies in 42 countries and commercial counselors in 26 countries on the Africa continent. Turkey's national flag carrier Turkish Airlines also flies to 35 destinations on the continent. Africa–United Kingdom relations The sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean is disputed between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued Legal Consequences of the Separation of the [Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965|an advisory opinion stating] that the UK must transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. The African Union has urged the United Kingdom to comply with a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for it to withdraw from the Chagos Islands. Africa–United States relations In 2017, Donald Trump, President of the United States, issued an executive order to ban citizens from seven countries with suspected links to terrorism from entering the United States. Three of these are African countries, and members of the AU. During the 28th African Union Summit in Ethiopia, African leaders criticised the ban as they expressed their growing concerns for the future of the African economy under President Trump's leadership and subsequent policies. Military The African Union has the power to militarily intervene on behalf of its member states as laid out in Article 4 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, "in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity". Togo In response to the death of Gnassingbé Eyadéma, President of Togo, on 5 February 2005, AU leaders described the appointment of his son, Faure Gnassingbé, to the presidency to have been a military coup. Togo's constitution calls for the speaker of parliament to succeed the president in the event of his death. By law, the parliament speaker must call national elections to choose a new president within sixty days. The AU's protest forced Gnassingbé to hold elections. Under heavy allegations of election fraud, he was officially elected president on 4 May 2005. Mauritania On 3 August 2005, a coup in Mauritania led the African Union to suspend the country from all organisational activities. The military council that took control of Mauritania promised to hold elections within two years. These were held in early 2007, the first time that the country had held elections that were generally agreed to be of an acceptable standard. Following the elections, Mauritania's membership of the AU was restored. However, on 6 August 2008, a fresh coup overthrew the government elected in 2007. The AU once again suspended Mauritania from the continental body. The suspension was once again lifted in 2009 after the military junta agreed with the opposition to organise elections. Mali In March 2012, a military coup was staged in Mali, when an alliance of Touareg and Islamist forces conquered the north, resulting in a coming to power of the Islamists. This resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Malian soldiers and the loss of control over their camps and positions. After a military intervention with help from French troops, the region was in control of the Malian army. To reinstall local authorities, the AU helped to form a caretaker government, supporting it and holding presidential elections in Mali in July 2013. In 2013, a summit for the African Union was held and it was decided that the African Union was going to enlarge their military presence in Mali. The AU decided to do this because of increasing tensions between al-Qaeda forces and the Mali army. There have been several rebel groups that are vying for control of parts of Mali. These rebel groups include the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Azawad, Ganda Koy, Ganda Izo, Ansar ad-Din, and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). AU forces have been tasked with counterinsurgency missions in Mali as well as governing presidential elections to ensure as smooth a transition of power as possible. 2021 hotspots A disputed election in December 2020 has led to intensification of the Central African Republic Civil War, displacing 200,000 people. United Nations peacekeepers, including soldiers from Russia and Rwanda, have kept the rebels out of Bangui, but rebels control much of the rest of the country. The AU has not sent peacekeepers to the areas because of a lack of agreement on how to handle the situation: Chad and the Republic of the Congo support the rebels while Rwanda and Angola support the government. The Tigray War in Ethiopia has left millions in need of humanitarian aid. Eritrean troops are said to be supporting the Ethiopian government, and there have been border conflicts with Sudan. The relationship between Sudan and Ethiopia is further complicated by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, which also directly affects Egypt. Coup Belt The term Coup Belt originated from coups that were staged beginning in the early 2020s, including in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Guinea, Chad, and Sudan in 2021, two in Burkina Faso in January and September in 2022, and Niger and Gabon in 2023. The region also saw attempted coups in Niger and September [2021 Sudanese coup d'état attempt|Sudan] in 2021, Guinea–Bissau and The Gambia in 2022, and Sudan and Sierra Leone coup plot|Sierra Leone] in 2023. After the 2023 Nigerien coup, these countries formed a continuous chain stretching between the east and west coasts of Africa. Regional conflicts and peacekeeping One of the objectives of the AU is to "promote peace, security, and stability on the continent". Among its principles is "Peaceful resolution of conflicts among Member States of the Union through such appropriate means as may be decided upon by the Assembly". The primary body charged with implementing these objectives and principles is the Peace and Security Council. The PSC has the power, among other things, to authorise peace support missions, to impose sanctions in case of unconstitutional change of government, and to "take initiatives and action it deems appropriate" in response to potential or actual conflicts. The PSC is a decision-making body in its own right, and its decisions are binding on member states. Article 4 of the Constitutive Act, repeated in Article 4 of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act on the PSC, also recognises the right of the Union to intervene in a member state in circumstances of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Any decision to intervene in a member state under Article 4 of the Constitutive Act will be made by the Assembly on the recommendation of the PSC. Since it first met in 2004, the PSC has been active in relation to the crises in Darfur, Comoros, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Ivory Coast and other countries. It has adopted resolutions creating the AU peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Darfur, and imposing sanctions against persons undermining peace and security. The council is in the process of overseeing the establishment of a "standby force" to serve as a permanent African peacekeeping force. The founding treaty of the AU also called for the establishment of the African Peace and Security Architecture, including the African Standby Force, which is to be deployed in emergencies. That means, in cases of genocide or other serious human-rights violations, an ASF mission can be launched even against the wishes of the government of the country concerned, as long as it is approved by the AU. In past AU peacekeeping missions, the concept was not yet applied and forces had to be mobilised from member states. Although the ASF was declared fully operational in 2016 and used from 2017 onwards in ECOWAS, ECCAS and SADC interventions to the Gambia, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it has not been deployed in the same way as originally conceived. Instead of the PSC acting as the primary initiator of ASF action as previously planned, Regional Economic Communities have took charge of mobilizing ASF capabilities. In light of continued criticism, ASF reform remains a prominent topic of discussion at the AU. Darfur, Sudan In response to the ongoing Darfur conflict in Sudan, the AU has deployed 7,000 peacekeepers, many from Rwanda and Nigeria, to Darfur. While a donor's conference in Addis Ababa in 2005 helped raise funds to sustain the peacekeepers through that year and into 2006, in July 2006 the AU said it would pull out at the end of September when its mandate expires. Critics of the AU peacekeepers, including Eric Reeves, have said these forces are largely ineffective due to lack of funds, personnel, and expertise. Monitoring a large area has made it even more difficult to sustain an effective mission. In June 2006, the United States Congress appropriated US$173 million for the AU force. Some, such as the Genocide Intervention Network, have called for UN or NATO intervention to augment and/or replace the AU peacekeepers. The UN has considered deploying a force, though it would not likely enter the country until at least October 2007. The under-funded and badly equipped AU mission was set to expire on 31 December 2006 but was extended to 30 June 2007 and merged with the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur in October 2007. In July 2009 the African Union ceased cooperation with the International Criminal Court, refusing to recognise the international arrest warrant it had issued against Sudan's leader, Omar al-Bashir, who was indicted in 2008 for war crimes. The AU struggled to have a strategic role in the independence talks and the reconciliation process of South Sudan, due to overwhelming interests of African and non-African powers, its influence is still limited and not consistent. Somalia From the early 1990s up until 2000, Somalia was without a functioning central government. A peace agreement aimed at ending the civil war that broke out following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime was signed in 2006 after many years of peace talks. However, the new government was almost immediately threatened by further violence. In February 2007, the African Union and European Union worked together to establish the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The purpose of AMISOM was to create a foundation that would hopefully provide aid to some of Somalia's most vulnerable and keep the peace in the region. They are tasked with everything from protecting federal institutions to facilitating humanitarian relief operations. Much of the AU's opposition comes from an Islamic extremist group named al-Shabaab. To temporarily shore up the government's military base, starting in March 2007, AU soldiers began arriving in Mogadishu as part of a peacekeeping force that was intended by the AU to eventually be 8,000 strong. Eritrea recalled its ambassadors to the African Union on 20 November 2009 after the African Union called on the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on them due to their alleged support of Somali Islamists attempting to topple the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the internationally recognised government of Somalia which holds Somalia's seat on the African Union. On 22 December 2009, the United Nations Security Council passed UNSCR 1907, which imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea, travel bans on Eritrean leaders, and asset freezes on Eritrean officials. Eritrea strongly criticised the resolution. In January 2011, Eritrea reestablished their mission to the AU in Addis Ababa. In the fall of 2011, AMISOM forces, along with Kenyan and Ethiopian forces, launched a set of offensive attacks on the al-Shabaab. In these attacks, AMISOM forces were able to reclaim key cities including the Somali capital of Mogadishu. In September 2013, political scientist Ethan Bueno de Mesquita argued that with the help of AMISOM forces, they had made it "nearly impossible for al-Shabaab to hold territory even in its former strongholds in southern Somalia". Although much progress has been made towards peace in the region, it should still be noted that African Union forces' still get attacked regularly. Despite AMISOM being effective, it is vastly underfunded and many forces lack the resources required. Funding for humanitarian relief and the formation of armies tends to be vastly undercut. Anjouan, Comoros A successful 2008 invasion of Anjouan by AU and Comoros forces to stop self-declared president Mohamed Bacar, whose 2007 re-election was declared illegal. Prior to the invasion, France helped transport Tanzanian troops but their position in the disagreement was questioned when a French police helicopter was suspected of attempting to sneak Bacar into French exile. The first wave of troops landed on Anjouan Bay on 25 March and soon took over the airfield in Ouani, ultimately aiming to locate and remove Bacar from office. On the same day, the airport, capital, and second city were overrun and the presidential palace was deserted. Bacar escaped and sought asylum in France. The Comoros government demanded his return, in order to determine his fate. Many of Bacar's main supporters were arrested by the end of March, including Caabi El-Yachroutu Mohamed and Ibrahim Halidi. Bacar's asylum request was rejected on 15 May, as France agreed to cooperate with the Comoran government's demand. At the 29 June elections, Moussa Toybou won the presidency. Current issues The AU faces many challenges, including health issues such as combating malaria and the AIDS/HIV epidemic; political issues such as confronting undemocratic regimes and mediating in the many civil wars; economic issues such as improving the standard of living of millions of impoverished, uneducated Africans; ecological issues such as dealing with recurring famines, desertification, and lack of ecological sustainability; as well as the legal issues regarding Western Sahara. Corruption Daniel Batidam, an anti-corruption advisory board member of the African Union, resigned after stating that the organisation had "multiple irregularities" and that "issues have come up over and over again" regarding corruption. The African Union quickly accepted his resignation, with Batidam saying that it was a sign that mismanagement towards corruption will "continue with business as usual". In a story published on 12 March 2020, AU staff alleged that Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat was guilty of corruption and cronyism, as well as running of a "mafia-style cartel" that operates with impunity. The allegations were contained in a memo leaked to the South African Mail & Guardian. This followed sexual harassment allegations raised in late 2018. Libyan crisis In 2011, when the conflict in Libya began, the African Union was initially criticised for doing little to prevent the conflict's escalation. Additionally, the AU hesitated to take a side. It was unclear whether the AU supported the Libyan regime or the rebels. This occurred as several human right violations were perpetrated against members of the Libyan regime. It was later realised that the AU's hesitation was due to its lack of capacity and its inability to engage in democratic reform. The AU attempted to mediate in the early stages of the 2011 Libyan civil war, forming an ad hoc committee of five presidents to broker a truce. However, the beginning of the NATO-led military intervention in March 2011 prevented the committee from traveling to Libya to meet with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. As a body, the AU sharply dissented from the United Nations Security Council's decision to create a no-fly zone over Libya, though a few member states, such as Botswana, Gabon, Zambia, and others expressed support for the resolution. As a result of Gaddafi's defeat at the Battle of Tripoli, in August 2011, the Arab League voted to recognise the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of the country, pending elections. The council has been recognised by several AU member states, including two Arab League members. However, the AU Peace and Security Council voted on 26 August 2011 not to recognise it, insisting on a ceasefire and on the formation of a national unity government by both sides. A number of AU member states led by Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda requested that the AU recognise the NTC as Libya's interim governing authority, and several other AU member states have recognised the NTC regardless of the Peace and Security Council's decision. However, AU member states Algeria and Zimbabwe have indicated they will not recognise the NTC, and South Africa has expressed reservations as well. On 20 September 2011, the African Union officially recognised the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of Libya. In post-Gaddafi Libya, the African Union believes it still has an important responsibility to the country despite its failure to contribute to the conflict when it originated. Although the African Union is there to keep peace, it is not a long-term solution. The goal, as stated by the AU, is to establish a Libyan government that is sustainable to ensuring peace in Libya. To achieve some level of peace in Libya, the AU has to moderate peace talks which are aimed at achieving compromises and power sharing accommodations as well. Geography Member states of the African Union cover almost the entirety of continental Africa, except for several territories held by Spain. In addition, European countries have dependencies among the offshore islands of Africa: Spain ; France ; Portugal ; and the United Kingdom. The geography of the African Union is wildly diverse, including the world's largest hot desert, huge jungles and savannas, and the world's longest river. The AU has an area of, with of coastline. The vast majority of this area is on continental Africa, while the only significant territories off the mainland are the island of Madagascar and the Sinai Peninsula, accounting for slightly less than 2% of the total area. Economy The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was created among 54 of the 55 AU nations, with trade commencing as of 1 January 2021. The African Export–Import Bank, to support this initiative, created the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System. The AU's future goals include a customs union, a single market, a central bank, and a common currency, thereby establishing economic and monetary union. Indicators The following table shows various data for AU member states, including area, population, economic output and income inequality, as well as various indices, including human development, viability of the state, perception of corruption, economic freedom, state of peace, freedom of the press and democratic level. Country Land Area 2015 Population GDP (PPP) 2015 GDP (PPP) per capita 2015 HDI 2014 FSI 2016 CPI 2016 IEF 2016 GPI 2016 WPFI 2016 DI 2016 2,381,741 548,293,085,686 13,823 0.736 78.3 34 50.06 2.21 41.69 3.56 1,246,700 173,593,223,667 6,938 0.532 90.5 18 48.94 2.14 39.89 3.40 112,760 21,016,184,357 1,932 0.48 78.9 36 59.31 2.00 28.97 5.67 566,730 33,657,545,969 14,876 0.698 63.5 60 71.07 1.64 22.91 7.87 273,600 28,840,666,622 1,593 0.402 89.4 42 59.09 2.06 22.66 4.70 25,680 7,634,578,343 300 0.4 100.7 20 53.91 2.50 54.10 2.40 4,030 3,205,197,585 6,158 0.646 71.5 59 66.46 N/A 19.82 7.94 472,710 68,302,439,597 2,926 0.512 97.8 26 54.18 2.36 40.53 3.46 622,980 2,847,726,468 581 0.35 112.1 20 45.23 3.35 33.60 1.61 1,259,200 28,686,194,920 2,044 0.392 110.1 20 46.33 2.46 40.59 1.50 1,861 1,098,546,195 1,393 0.503 83.8 24 52.35 N/A 24.33 3.71 2,267,050 56,920,935,460 300 0.433 21 46.38 3.11 50.97 1.93 341,500 27,690,345,067 5,993 0.591 92.2 20 42.80 2.25 35.84 2.91 23,180 2,911,406,226 3,279 0.47 89.7 30 55.96 2.29 70.90 2.83 1,010,407 1,173,000,000,000 10,250 0.69 90.2 34 55.96 2.57 54.45 3.31 28,050 32,317,928,931 38,243 0.587 85.2 N/A 43.67 1.94 66.47 1.70 101,000 8,845,000,000b 600b 0.391 98.6 18 42.7 2.46 83.92 2.37 17,204 10,452,834,007 8,122 0.531 87.6 N/A 59.65 2.07 52.37 3.03 1,104,300 152,057,290,468 1,530 0.442 97.2 34 51.52 2.28 45.13 3.60 257,670 32,539,376,597 18,860 0.684 72 35 58.96 2.03 32.20 3.74 10,120 3,140,820,062 1,578 0.441 86.8 26 57.14 2.09 46.53 2.91 227,540 108,393,071,924 3,955 0.579 71.2 43 63.00 1.81 17.95 6.75 245,720 14,316,884,358 1,135 0.411 103.8 27 53.33 2.15 33.08 3.14 28,120 2,521,743,682 1,367 0.42 99.8 16 51.81 2.26 29.03 1.98 318,000 74,916,780,423 3,300 0.462 97.9 34 60.01 2.28 30.17 3.81 569,140 133,592,522,053 2,901 0.548 98.3 26 57.51 2.38 31.16 5.33 30,360 5,914,437,068 2,770 0.497 80.9 39 50.62 1.94 28.78 6.59 96,320 3,533,313,381 500 0.43 95.5 37 52.19 2.00 30.71 5.31 1,759,540 94,010,000,000b 14,900b 0.724 96.4 14 N/A 3.20 57.89 2.25 581,800 33,354,200,458 1,376 0.51 84.2 26 61.06 1.76 27.04 5.07 94,280 19,137,290,349 1,112 0.445 87.6 31 51.8 1.82 28.12 5.55 1,220,190 33,524,899,739 1,905 0.419 95.2 32 56.54 2.49 39.83 5.70 1,030,700 16,190,000,000b 4,400b 0.506 95.4 27 54.8 2.30 24.03 3.96 2,030 23,817,914,134 18,864 0.777 43.2 54 74.73 1.56 27.69 8.28 446,300 257,398,957,178 7,365 0.628 74.2 37 61.27 2.09 42.64 4.77 786,380 31,326,751,237 1,120 0.416 87.8 27 53.19 1.96 30.25 4.02 823,290 24,043,436,006 9,778 0.628 71.1 52 61.85 1.87 15.15 6.31 1,266,700 17,857,377,171 897 0.348 98.4 35 54.26 2.24 24.62 3.96 910,770 1,168,000,000,000 5,639 0.514 103.5 28 57.46 2.88 35.90 4.50 24,670 19,216,033,048 1,655 0.483 91.3 54 63.07 2.32 54.61 3.07 960 575,391,345 3,023 0.555 72.9 46 56.71 N/A N/A N/A 192,530 34,398,281,018 2,274 0.466 83.6 45 58.09 1.98 27.99 6.21 460 2,384,515,771 25,525 0.772 60.2 N/A 62.2 N/A 30.60 N/A 72,180 9,511,431,824 1,474 0.413 91 30 52.31 1.81 29.94 4.55 627,340 5,900,000,000c 600c N/A 114 10 N/A 3.41 65.35 N/A 1,213,090 742,461,000,000 12,393 0.666 69.9 45 61.9 2.32 21.92 7.41 619,745 21,484,823,398 1,741 0.467 113.8 11 N/A 3.59 44.87 N/A 1,886,086 165,813,461,495 4,121 0.479 111.5 14 N/A 3.27 72.53 2.37 885,800 130,297,806,032 2,510 0.521 81.8 32 58.46 1.90 28.65 5.76 54,390 10,018,697,437 1,372 0.484 85.8 32 53.64 1.95 30.31 3.32 155,360 121,200,025,401 10,770 0.721 74.6 41 57.55 1.95 31.60 6.40 200,520 67,856,334,117 1,738 0.483 97.7 25 59.26 2.15 32.58 5.26 266,000 906,500,000d 2,500d N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 743,390 58,400,082,027 3,602 0.586 86.3 38 58.79 1.78 35.08 5.99 386,850 26,180,942,292 500 0.509 100.5 22 38.23 2.32 40.41 3.05 30,370,000 5,457,724,064,668 4,602 0.524d 88.99d 31.51d 55.55d 2.27 37.89 4.30 Country Land Area 2015 Population GDP (PPP) 2015 GDP (PPP) per capita 2015 HDI 2014 FSI 2016 CPI 2016 IEF 2016 GPI 2016 WPFI 2016 DI 2016 a External data from 2016. b External data from 2015. c External data from 2014. d AU total used for indicators 1 through 3; AU weighted average used for indicator 4; AU unweighted average used for indicators 5 through 12. Demographics Population The total population of the African Union, as of 2017, is estimated at more than 1.25 billion, with a growth rate of more than 2.5% p.a. Migration In 2018, the African Union adopted the Free Movement Protocol. This protocol allows for free movement of people between countries that are part of the African Union. Article 14 of the Protocol to the treaty establishing the African economic community relating to the free movement of persons, right of residence, and the right of establishment discusses the free movement of workers. The African Union also has a Migration Policy Framework for Africa. Forced displacement of people and groups has also been an area of focus for the AU—over thirty states have ratified the Kampala Convention, the only continental treaty focusing on internally displaced persons in the world. Beginning in 2016, the African Union introduced continent-wide passports. As of 2025 there has been an increased push for an implementation of the Free Movement Protocol. The UN has urged more states to ratify the protocol, and has praised Ghana for allowing visa free travel for all individuals with an African passport. Languages The official languages of the African Union are Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and "any other African language". The primary working languages of the African Union are English and French. To a lesser extent Portuguese and Arabic are used. The Constitutive Act, for example, is written in English, French and Arabic, while the protocol amending the Constitutive Act is written in English, French and Portuguese. As of 2020, the AU website is available in its entirety in English, partially in French and minimally in Arabic. Portuguese and Swahili versions were added as "coming soon" in April 2019. According to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, A protocol amending the Constitutive Act was adopted in 2003 and as of April 2020 has been ratified by 30 of the 37 member states needed for a two-thirds majority. It would change the above wording to, Founded in 2001 under the auspices of the AU, the African Academy of Languages promotes the usage and perpetuation of African languages among African people. In 2004 Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique addressed the assembly in Swahili, but had to translate his words himself. The AU declared 2006 the Year of African Languages. 2006 also marked Ghana's 55th anniversary since it founded the Bureau of Ghana Languages originally known as Gold Coast Vernacular Literature Bureau. Health AIDS in Africa The AU has been active in addressing the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In 2001, the AU established AIDS Watch Africa to coordinate and mobilise a continent-wide response. Sub-Saharan Africa, especially southern and eastern Africa, is the most affected area in the world. Though this region is home to only 6.2% of the world's population, it is also home to half of the world's population infected with HIV. While the measurement of HIV prevalence rates has proved methodologically challenging, more than 20% of the sexually active population of many countries of southern Africa may be infected, with South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and Zimbabwe all expected to have a decrease in life expectancy by an average of 6.5 years. The pandemic has had massive implications for the economy of the continent, reducing economic growth rates by 2–4% across Africa. In July 2007, the AU endorsed two new initiatives to combat the AIDS crisis, including a push to recruit, train and integrate two million community health workers into the continent's healthcare systems. In January 2012, the African Union Assembly requested that the African Union Commission would work out "a roadmap of shared responsibility to draw on African efforts for a viable health funding with support of traditional and emerging partners to address AIDS dependency response". Once created, the roadmap provided a group of solutions that would enhance the shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, TB, and Malaria responses in Africa by 2015. The roadmap was organised into three pillars: diversified financing, access to medicines, and enhanced health governance. The roadmap held stakeholders accountable for the realisation of these solutions between 2012 and 2015. The first pillar, diversified financing, ensures that countries begin to develop a country specific financial sustainability plans with clear targets, and identify and maximise opportunities to diversify funding sources in order to increase the domestic resource allocation to AIDS and other diseases. The second pillar, access to affordable and quality-assured medicines, tries to promote and facilitate investing in leading medicine hub manufacturers in Africa, accelerate and strengthen medicine regulatory harmonisation, and create legislation that would help to protect the knowledge of the researchers who develop these life-saving medicines. The third pillar, enhanced leadership and governance, tries to invest in programs that support people and communities to prevent HIV and ensure that leadership at all levels is mobilised to implement the roadmap. There are several organisations that will ensure the smooth implementation of the roadmap, including NEPAD, UNAIDS, WHO, and several other UN partners. COVID-19 pandemic By February 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa had resulted in 3.6 million confirmed cases and 89,000 related deaths, and only 25% of African countries had adequate plans for vaccination, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The pandemic has also devastated economies around the world, including in Africa. Culture Symbols The emblem of the African Union consists of a gold ribbon bearing small interlocking red rings, from which palm leaves shoot up around an outer gold circle and an inner green circle, within which is a gold representation of Africa. The red interlinked rings stand for African solidarity and the blood shed for the liberation of Africa; the palm leaves, for peace; the gold, for Africa's wealth and bright future; the green, for African hopes and aspirations. To symbolise African unity, the silhouette of Africa is drawn without internal borders. The African Union adopted its new flag at its 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government taking place in Addis Ababa 2010. During the 8th African Union Summit which took place in Addis Ababa on 29 and 30 January 2007, the Heads of State and Government decided to launch a competition for the selection of a new flag for the Union. They prescribed a green background for the flag symbolising hope of Africa and stars to represent Member States. Pursuant to this decision, the African Union Commission organised a competition for the selection of a new flag for the African Union. The AUC received a total of 106 entries proposed by citizens of 19 African countries and 2 from the Diaspora. The proposals were then examined by a panel of experts put in place by the African Union Commission and selected from the five African regions for short listing according to the main directions given by the Heads of State and Government. At the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the Heads of State and Government examined the report of the Panel and selected one among all the proposals. The flag is now part of the paraphernalia of the African Union and replaces the old one. The old flag of the African Union bears a broad green horizontal stripe, a narrow band of gold, the emblem of the African Union at the centre of a broad white stripe, another narrow gold band and a final broad green stripe. Again, the green and gold symbolise Africa's hopes and aspirations as well as its wealth and bright future, and the white represents the purity of Africa's desire for friends throughout the world. The flag has led to the creation of the "national colours" of Africa of gold and green. These colours are visible in one way or another in the flags of many African nations. Together the colours green, gold, and red constitute the Pan-African colours. The African Union has adopted the anthem "Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together". Celebration is an annual commemoration regarding the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, on 25 May 1963, and occurring on the same date of the month each year. Other celebrations include the following: The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music: a week-long celebration for harmony between cultures with dancing, Moroccan music, art exhibitions and films. The Knysna Oyster festival: held in Knysna and focused around sport, food and their oyster heritage. Lake of Stars Festival: three-day celebration that takes place in Lake Malawi, showcasing African music and welcoming people from around the world. Fête du Vodoun: also known as the Ouidah Voodoo Festival. It is centred around their rituals on voodoo temples, with entertainment that includes horse races and traditional drum performances. Umhlanga (ceremony): is mainly a private event for young women but on the sixth and seventh days the traditions are done publicly. African Border Day is celebrated annually on 7 June to promote peace, cross-border cooperation and regional and continental integration in Africa Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival: held in Kenya and celebrates harmony amongst tribes with their culture, singing, dancing and traditional costumes. Enkutatash is the word for the Ethiopian New Year in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. It occurs on 11 September in the Gregorian Calendar; except for the year preceding a leap year, when it occurs on 12 September. General and cited references , AfriMAP and Oxfam GB, 2010. . AfriMAP, AFRODAD and Oxfam GB, January 2007. J. B. Cartes Rodríguez, "The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights", Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona.. .