African Union (AU)- an international intergovernmental organization uniting 54 African states, the successor of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Founded on July 9, 2002. The most important decisions within the organization are made at the Assembly of the African Union - a meeting of heads of state and government of member states of the organization, which is held every six months. The African Union Secretariat and the African Union Commission are located in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. In February 2009, it was decided to transform the African Union Commission into the Authority of the African Union.

Goals and principles:

Goals:

• strengthening the unity and solidarity of African states and peoples of Africa;
• protection of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of member states;
• accelerating the political and socio-economic integration of the continent;
• promoting and defending common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;
• promoting international cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• strengthening peace, security and stability on the continent;
• strengthening and protecting human rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other human rights instruments;
• Creation necessary conditions, thanks to which the continent can take its rightful place in the global economy and in international negotiations;
• promoting sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels, as well as the integration of African economies;
• promoting cooperation in all spheres of human activity in order to improve the living standards of the African population;
• coordination and harmonization of policies between existing and future regional economic communities with a view to progressively achieving the goals of the African Union;
• progress in the development of the continent through assistance in scientific research in all areas, especially in the field of science and technology;
• collaboration with relevant international partners in efforts to eradicate disease and promote healthy lifestyles on the continent.

Operating principles:

• sovereign equality and interdependence among member states of the African Union;
• respect for state borders that existed at the time the states gained independence;
• participation of African peoples in the activities of the African Union;
• development of a common defense policy for the African continent;
• peaceful resolution of conflicts between member states of the Union through suitable measures approved by the Assembly of the African Union;
• prohibition on the use of force and threats of force between member states of the Union;
• non-interference of member states in the internal affairs of other states;
• the right of the Union to intervene in the affairs of a Union State by decision of the Assembly of the organization in the case of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity;
• peaceful coexistence of member states and their right to exist in peace and security;
• the right of member states to request the organization to intervene in state affairs in order to restore peace and security;
• promoting self-sufficiency within the Union;
• promoting gender equality;
• respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good faith public administration;
• promoting social justice to ensure a balanced economic development;
• respect for the sanctity of human life, condemnation and rejection of impunity and political assassinations, acts of terrorism and subversion;
• condemnation and rejection of unconstitutional changes of governments.

Structure:

The highest organ of the African Union is Assembly, which consists of heads of state and government or their accredited representatives. Meetings of the Assembly in the form of a regular session must be held at least once a year. Moreover, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the Assembly may meet in an emergency session. The Assembly is headed by a chairman, who is elected for a term of one year by the member states from among the heads of state or government. The Assembly has fairly broad powers. She:

• determines the general policy of the African Union;
• accepts, considers and makes decisions on various reports and recommendations prepared by other bodies of the Union;
• considers membership in the organization;
• establishes new bodies of the Union;
• exercises control over the implementation of the policies and decisions of the Union, and also monitors their compliance by member states;
• adopts the budget of the Union;
• provides direction to the Executive Council regarding the management of conflicts, wars and other emergencies and the restoration of peace;
• appoints and removes judges of the Supreme Court of the African Union;
• appoints the Chairman of the Commission and his deputies, the Commissioner of the Commission, and also determines their tasks and term of office.

Decisions in the Assembly are made by consensus or, otherwise, by a 2/3 vote of the organization's member states. However, procedural issues are decided by a simple majority vote.

In order to strengthen further integration processes, primarily economic, in 2004 it was created Pan-African Parliament, which should eventually become the highest legislative body of the African Union. It is located in Midrand in South Africa and consists of 265 representatives from the organization's 53 member states.

Executive Council The (EC) of the African Union is composed of Ministers of Foreign Affairs or other ministers/civil servants appointed by the governments of member states. EC meetings in the form of a regular meeting are held at least twice a year. At the same time, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the EC may meet in an emergency session. The EC coordinates and makes decisions on issues affecting the common interests of member states, monitors the implementation of the political strategy formulated by the Assembly and is responsible to it. The scope of activities and responsibilities of the IP includes:

• foreign trade;
• energy, industry and natural resources;
• food, agricultural and animal resources, livestock and forestry;
• water resources and irrigation;
• protection environment, humanitarian activities and emergency response;
• transport and communications;
• insurance;
• education, culture, health and workforce development;
• science and technology;
• citizenship, residence and immigration issues;
• social security, including the formulation of policies to protect motherhood and children, as well as the disabled and persons with disabilities;
• establishment of a system of African awards, medals and prizes.

Decisions in the EC, as in the Assembly, are made by consensus or, otherwise, by a 2/3 vote of the organization's member states. However, procedural issues are decided by a simple majority vote.

In addition, there are specialized technical committees that are responsible to the Executive Committee:

• Committee agriculture and agricultural issues;
• Committee on Currency and Financial Affairs;
• Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Affairs;
• Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment;
• Committee of Transport, Communications and Tourism;
• Committee on Health, Labor and Social Affairs;
• Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources.

There are other bodies within the African Union:

• Supreme Court;
• African Union Commission (the administrative and executive body of the organization, performing the functions of the secretariat of the African Union);
• Committee of Permanent Representatives;
• Economic, Social and Cultural Council;

The objective reasons for the creation of the AU, which replaced the OAU, the largest political association of states on the African continent, were fundamental changes in the political forces in the world during its existence (1963–2001) and the achievement at the turn of the new millennium of some of the tasks set for the OAU as priorities. The problems of modern economic development of African states require the search for new approaches and mechanisms.

The decision to create the African Union was made at an emergency summit meeting of the OAU in September 1999 in Sirte (Libya). It reflected the desire of African leaders for a higher level of unity than was found within the OAU. The heads of state of the continent approved the Constitutive Act of the African Union at the OAU summit in July 2000 in Lomé (Togo), at which time the creation of the AU was officially announced. At the 37th session of the OAU Assembly in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka (July 2001), a package of documents was approved defining the structure and legal basis of the new organization. By this time, the Act had been ratified by 51 African countries. It replaced the OAU Charter, which nevertheless continued to be in force for another year during the transition period from the OAU to the AU. The first summit of the African Union took place on July 9–10, 2002 in Durban (South Africa). The President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, was elected Chairman of the AU. The operational economic program of the newly created all-African organization was called the NEPAD program (New Partnership for Africa's Development) - a new large-scale program for Africa's development strategy, which defines its place in the modern world and contains a specific set of measures in economic sphere of the states of the continent, and also expresses hope for global partnership in the process of its implementation. In 2003, all states of the continent were members of the AU, except for the Kingdom of Morocco, which ceased its participation in the work of the OAU after accepting the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as its member. Apartment AC is located in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).

The continuity of the new organization, emphasized in the Constitutive Act of the AU, is expressed in the willingness of the heads of state and government of member countries to promote unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples and states of Africa. The main tasks of the AU are declared to be conducting a dialogue with the world community from a common position (including making decisions that will be able to respond to the challenges of economic globalization), protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, promoting the maintenance of peace, security and stability on the continent, effective resolution regional conflicts.

The main difference between the AU and the OAU is that the main priority of the new organization is economic integration. The OAU considered political integration as the main task for taking collective measures to protect the national independence and territorial integrity of young African states. In world history there are many examples of integration based on the convergence of economic interests, and this path seems to be the most effective for solving numerous problems of African reality. The decision taken by the Union to assist in the development of integration processes, relying on the already existing political and administrative associations of the south and north of the continent, West and East Africa, testifies to the heads of state’s understanding of the problems that will have to be faced on a long and difficult path and their readiness to overcome them.

One of the fundamental principles of the AC's activities is respect for the state borders of the organization's member states that existed at the time they gained independence. This is of particular relevance for the countries of the African continent, since the danger of local elites and TNCs possibly inciting territorial disputes, interethnic conflicts, separatist sentiments and organizing coups d'etat in order to control mineral deposits (especially in border areas) remains quite real. Military coups in Gambia, Zaire, Ivory Coast, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and other countries that influenced neighboring states - bright that confirmation.

The AU's Constitutive Act emphasizes the interdependence of member states. The right of the Union is also provided for, on the basis of a decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government (adopted by a 2/3 vote), to direct (including armed) intervention in the internal affairs of a member state in the event of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity occurring on its territory. A fundamentally new provision is that representatives of governments that came to power through unconstitutional means are not allowed to participate in the work of the AC. The Constitutive Act also defines a set of measures to ensure the implementation of decisions of the Assembly of the AU, including the introduction of political and economic sanctions (deprivation of the right to vote in the Assembly, termination of transport and telecommunications connections with the “disobedient” state, etc.), the use of which will facilitate the implementation into the life of collective decisions. Implementation of the new provisions should help increase the political responsibility of African leaders.

The highest body of the African Union is the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The highest executive body is the AC Commission. The Chairmen of the AC and the AC Commission are elected for a one-year term. The Constitutive Act enshrines the tradition that has developed in the OAU of electing the president of the state where the summit was held to the post of chairman of the pan-African organization for the next term. In addition to the AU Assembly, the creation of an All-African Parliament (AAP) and a Court of Justice of the Union is envisaged. The AU also includes the African Monetary Fund, the African central bank, the African Investment Bank, as well as the specialized technical committees formed by the Assembly, the Economic Union, social policy and Culture (an advisory body consisting of representatives of various non-governmental organizations and professional groups). Regional multinational forces were initially formed in the AU, and a unified African force began to take shape in 2010.

The headquarters of the WAP are located in Midrand, South Africa.

Five of the eight AC Commission members (commissioners) are women. The regulations on the All-African Parliament provide for the introduction of two women into the representation from each African country (five deputies).

In the names of both the organization itself (“African Union”) and its highest executive body (“AU Commission”), a certain analogy with the structures of the European Union is clearly visible. This indicates the firm intention of the leaders of African states in the integration process to take into account the successful experience of the EU and existing associations Southeast Asia and Latin America.

The AU is intended to replace not only the OAU, but also the African Economic Community (AEC), which was supposed to counter the negative aspects of globalization by promoting the socio-economic development of Africa. The definition of the principles, goals and strategy for the development of nuclear power plants lasted from 1976 to 1989. The process of achieving economic integration within the nuclear power plant was designed for 34 years and included six stages. The organization itself was created in 1991, but its activities did not bring significant practical results.

The second AU summit took place on July 9–12, 2003 in the capital of Mozambique, Maputo. In addition to the election of the Chairman of the AU and his deputies, issues were considered on the integration of the NEPAD program into the structure of the Union and the formation of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). The President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, was elected Chairman of the AU for 2003–2004, and the Chairman of the AU Commission was former president Mali Alf Oumar Konare.

The revival of the idea of ​​African unity, which was realized in the form of the creation of the African Union, proceeded almost in parallel with the development of the concept of the “African Renaissance” proclaimed by South African President Thabo Mbeki. The tasks of revival, in addition to creating democratic political systems, successful fight against the AIDS pandemic; restoration of African cultures, encouragement of artistic creativity and access to advanced science and technology were also heralded as achievements of sustainable economic development.

From the first days of its existence, the AU faced certain problems: confrontation between leaders when agreeing at the summit in Lusaka (2001) on the candidacy of the new Secretary General of the OAU (he was supposed to lead the work to transform it into the AU), the protracted (eight rounds) process of electing a permanent chairman of the Commission AU and its deputies at the AU Assembly in 2003 in Maputo.

A serious problem for the management of the AS is the lack of financial resources. In October 2003, the debt on payment of membership fees of 11 member countries of the organization amounted to 44 million US dollars, and they were deprived of the right to speak at meetings of the Union. This state of affairs makes the AU dependent on external funding, limits its freedom of action and directly affects its ability to carry out peacekeeping missions. For example, after African leaders refused to condemn the policies of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, the European Union froze the allocation of 250 million euros intended for AU peacekeeping activities.

The inauguration date of the All African Parliament (AAP) in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, scheduled for January 31, 2004, was postponed to March 18, 2004 (the protocol defining its powers, functions and composition, although adopted unanimously by the members of the AU, has not yet entered into force in force – has not been ratified by half of the member countries).

The process of formation of the AC structures attracted the attention of international organizations. The summit in Maputo was attended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, European Commission President Romano Prodi and International Monetary Fund Executive Director Hirst Koehler. The heads of some African states perceived as a sign of disrespect for the continent as a whole and for the AU in particular the fact that US President George W. Bush, while touring a number of African countries immediately before and during the days of the African Union summit (July 7–12, 2003), did not visited Mozambique.

Russia supports the desire of African states to achieve unity. The messages of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin to the chairmen of the AU, the President of South Africa T. Mbeki and the President of Mozambique J. Chissano, emphasized the readiness of the Russian leadership to cooperate with the African Union.

The African Union is just beginning its activities as a successor to the OAU. The tasks, structure and mechanisms of functioning of the AC institutions have not yet been fully formed and defined. The problems of African unity and the initiatives to achieve it (including the Constitutive Act of the AU itself) are well known only to a narrow circle of politicians, government officials and scientists. It will take a lot of time and effort to define the functions, provide financial and other means necessary for the normal functioning of the institutions within the structure of the African Union.

Considering the realities of African reality, the objective difficulties and subjective problems that the AU faced at the beginning of its existence, most foreign and domestic researchers believe that its creation opened a new chapter in the history of the African continent. The creation of the AU means an unconditional step forward in the development of the idea and practice of African integration and can contribute to the development of a common position by the states of the continent in the face of the global challenges of our time.

In 2012, the African Union was headed by a woman for the first time - South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Diamini-Zuma. She succeeded her predecessor, Gabon-born Jean Ping.

Lyubov Prokopenko

APPLICATION

CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY

We, the African Heads of State and Government, gathered in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

Convinced that all peoples have the inalienable right to decide their own destiny,

Conscious that freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential to the realization of the legitimate aspirations of African peoples,

Conscious that it is our responsibility to place the natural resources and human reserves of the continent at the service of the general progress of our peoples in all spheres of human activity,

inspired by a common determination to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between our states, in accordance with the desire of our peoples for brotherhood and solidarity in a broad association that transcends ethnic and national differences,

Convinced that in order to transform this determination into a dynamic force at the service of human progress, it is necessary to create and maintain conditions of peace and security,

Determined to defend and strengthen the hard-won independence and sovereignty as well as the territorial integrity of our States and to fight neo-colonialism in all its forms,

dedicated to the overall progress of Africa,

Convinced that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to whose principles we reaffirm, provide a solid basis for peaceful and fruitful cooperation among States,

Desiring to see all African states united henceforth in the name of ensuring the well-being of their peoples,

determined to strengthen the ties between our states through the creation and strengthening of common institutions,

agreed on the creation of this Charter.

1. The High Contracting Parties, by the adoption of this Charter, establish an organization called the “Organization of African Unity”.

2. This Organization will consist of the African continental states, Madagascar and other islands surrounding Africa.

1. The organization has the following goals:

a) strengthen the unity and solidarity of African states;

b) coordinate and strengthen cooperation between them and their efforts aimed at creating better conditions existence for the peoples of Africa;

c) protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence;

d) destroy all types of colonialism in Africa;

e) encourage international cooperation in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2. To achieve these objectives, the Member States of the Organization will coordinate and harmonize their general policies, especially in the following areas:

a) in the field of politics and diplomacy;

b) in the field of economics, transport and communications;

c) in the field of education and culture;

d) in the field of health, sanitation and nutrition;

e) in the field of science and technology;

f) in the field of defense and security.

PRINCIPLES

In order to achieve the objectives set out in Article 2, Member States solemnly affirm and declare allegiance to the following principles:

1) sovereign equality of all member states;

2) non-interference in the internal affairs of states;

3) respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state and its inalienable right to independent existence;

4) peaceful settlement of disputes through negotiations, mediation, conciliation or arbitration;

5) unconditional condemnation of all forms of politically motivated killings, as well as subversive activities on the part of neighboring states or any other states;

6) absolute commitment to the complete liberation of African territories still subject to dependence;

7) confirmation of the policy of non-alignment in relation to all blocs.

Every independent and sovereign African state can become a member of the Organization.

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBER STATES

All member states enjoy equal rights and have equal responsibilities.

Member States undertake to carefully observe the principles listed in Article 3 of this Charter.

The Organization will achieve its objectives through the following main bodies:

1. Assembly of Heads of State and Government;

2. Council of Ministers;

3. General Secretariat;

4. Commission for Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration.

ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the highest body of the Organization.

It shall discuss, in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, matters of common interest to the whole of Africa with a view to coordinating and harmonizing the general policies of the Organization. In addition, it may review the structure, functions and actions of all bodies and any specialized agencies that may be created in accordance with this Charter.

The Assembly is composed of heads of state and government or their duly accredited representatives and meets at least once a year. At the request of any Member State and with the consent of two thirds of the Member States, the Assembly may meet in extraordinary session.

2. All resolutions are adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the member states of the Organization.

3. Decisions on procedural issues are made by a simple majority of votes. The decision whether a question is procedural or not is made by a simple majority of all member states of the Organization.

4. Two thirds of all Member States shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Assembly.

The Assembly itself sets its own rules of procedure.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

1. The Council of Ministers consists of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs or any other ministers appointed by the governments of the member states.

2. The Council of Ministers meets at least twice a year. At the request of any state and with the consent of two thirds of all member states, the Council of Ministers meets in extraordinary session.

The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. He is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the sessions of the Assembly.

The Council of Ministers deals with all issues delegated to it by the Assembly. He is tasked with implementing the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

It carries out inter-African cooperation in accordance with the directives of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of this Charter.

2. All resolutions are adopted by a simple majority of votes of the members of the Council of Ministers.

3. Two thirds of all members of the Council of Ministers constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council.

The Council of Ministers itself sets its own rules of procedure.

The Administrative Secretary General of the Organization is appointed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. He directs the work of the Secretariat.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government appoints one or more Deputy Secretaries General.

The functions and working conditions of the Administrative Secretary General, Deputy Secretaries General and other employees of the Secretariat are determined by the provisions of this Charter and the regulations approved by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

1. In the performance of their duties, the Administrative Secretary General and the staff of the Secretariat shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or authority external to the Organization. They must refrain from any action that might affect their position as international officials responsible only to the Organization.

2. Each Member of the Organization undertakes to respect the exclusive nature of the duties of the Administrative Secretary General and the staff of the Secretariat and not to attempt to influence them in the performance of their duties.

MEDIATION, CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION COMMISSION

Member states undertake to resolve disputes among themselves by peaceful means. For this purpose, they create a Commission for Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration, the composition and operating conditions of which will be determined by a separate protocol, subject to approval by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. This protocol is considered as component of this Charter.

SPECIALIZED COMMISSIONS

The Assembly creates such specialized commissions as it deems necessary, including the following:

1. Economic and Social Affairs Commission;

2. Commission on Education and Culture;

3. Commission on Health, Sanitation and Nutrition;

4. Defense Commission;

5. Commission on Science, Technology and Research.

Each of the specialized commissions referred to in Article 20 shall consist of the ministers concerned or any other ministers or plenipotentiaries appointed for this purpose by their governments.

Each specialized commission functions in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and the Rules of Procedure approved by the Council of Ministers.

The budget of the Organization, prepared by the Administrative Secretary General, is approved by the Council of Ministers.

The budget is provided by contributions from Member States in accordance with the scale established for the United Nations. However, the contribution of any member state will not exceed 20% of the organization's regular annual budget. Member States undertake to make regular contributions.

SIGNING AND RATIFICATION OF THE CHARTER

1. This Charter is open for signature by all independent and sovereign African States. It must be ratified by the signatory states in accordance with their constitutional procedures.

2. The original document, written as far as possible in the African languages ​​and also in English and French, all texts of which are authentic, shall be deposited with the Government of Ethiopia, which shall transmit certified copies thereof to all independent and sovereign African States.

3. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited by the Government of Ethiopia, which shall notify all signatory States of each deposit.

ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Charter shall enter into force immediately upon receipt by the Government of Ethiopia of instruments of ratification from two-thirds of the signatory States.

REGISTRATION OF THE CHARTER

This Charter, duly ratified, will be registered with the Secretariat of the Organization

United Nations through the Government of Ethiopia in accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter.

INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARTER

Any question concerning the interpretation of this Charter must be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization.

ENTRY AND JOINING THE ORGANIZATION

1. Any independent and sovereign African State may at any time notify the Administrative Secretary-General of its intention to join the Organization or to accede to this Constitution.

2. The Administrative Secretary General, upon receipt of such notification, shall transmit a copy thereof to all Member States. The issue of admission is decided by a simple majority of votes of the member states. The decision of each Member State is transmitted to the Administrative Secretary General, who informs the State concerned of the decision after obtaining the required majority of votes.

MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS

The working languages ​​of the Organization and all its organs shall, if possible, be African languages, as well as English and French.

The Administrative Secretary General is authorized to accept gifts and other donations on behalf of the Organization, subject to the approval of the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers decides on the privileges and immunities granted to the staff of the Secretariat in the territories of the Member States.

MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION

Any state that wishes to withdraw from the Organization shall notify the Administrative Secretary General in writing. One year after the date of such notification, unless it is withdrawn, the Charter ceases to apply to the given state, which, thus, ceases to belong to the Organization.

AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

This Statute may be amended or revised if a Member State so requests in writing to the Administrative Secretary General. The draft amendment is submitted to the Assembly after all Member States have been duly notified of it and after the expiration of the one-year period. An amendment shall enter into force only upon approval by at least two thirds of the Member States.

It is in this belief that we, the African Heads of State and Government, have signed this Charter.

Organization of African Unity. History of creation and activity. Collection of documents. M., 1970

Midrand, South Africa

African Union(abbreviated AC) - an international intergovernmental organization uniting 53 African states, successor Organizations of African Unity(OAU). Founded on July 9, 2002. The most important decisions within the organization are made at the Assembly of the African Union - a meeting of the heads of state and government of the organization's member states, which are held every six months. The African Union Secretariat, the African Union Commission, is located in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. In February 2009, it was decided to transform the African Union Commission into the Authority of the African Union. African Union Authority).

Story

The historical predecessors of the African Union are considered Union of African States(English) Union of African States), a confederation of African states created in the 1960s at the initiative of Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, and Organization of African Unity(English) Organization of African Unity), founded May 25, 1963, and African Economic Community(English) African Economic Community), founded in 1981.

Due to the low efficiency and harsh criticism regarding the transformation of the Organization of African Union into "Dictator's Club" In the mid-1990s, the idea of ​​creating an African Union was revived on the African continent. The main proponent of the reforms was the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. On September 9, 1999, the heads of state and government of the member states of the Organization of African Unity adopted Sirte Declaration(named after the city of Sirte in Libya), which announced the intention to create an African Union. In 2000, during the Lomé summit, the Constitutive Act of the African Union was adopted, and in 2001, at the Lusaka summit, a plan for the implementation of the project of the new organization was adopted. At the same time, a large-scale program for the development strategy of Africa was approved - “ New Partnership for Africa's Development", or NEPAD (eng. New Partnership for Africa's Development; NEPAD ).

The African Union began its activities on July 9, 2002, replacing the Organization of African Unity.

Goals and principles

goals organizations are:

• strengthening the unity and solidarity of African states and peoples of Africa;
• protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of member states;
• accelerating the political and socio-economic integration of the continent;
• promoting and defending common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;
• promoting international cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights ;
• strengthening peace, security and stability on the continent;
• strengthening and protecting human rights in accordance with African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other instruments to ensure human rights;
• creating the necessary conditions through which the continent can take its rightful place in the global economy and in international negotiations;
• promoting sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels, as well as the integration of African economies;
• promoting cooperation in all spheres of human activity in order to improve the living standards of the African population;
• coordination and harmonization of policies between existing and future regional economic communities with a view to progressively achieving the goals of the African Union;
• progress in the development of the continent through assistance in scientific research in all areas, especially in the field of science and technology;
• collaboration with relevant international partners in efforts to eradicate disease and promote healthy lifestyles on the continent.

According to the Constitutive Act of the African Union operating principles organizations are:

• sovereign equality and interdependence among member states of the African Union;
• respect for state borders that existed at the time the states gained independence;
• participation of African peoples in the activities of the African Union;
• development of a common defense policy for the African continent;
• peaceful resolution of conflicts between member states of the Union through suitable measures approved by the Assembly of the African Union;
• prohibition on the use of force and threats of force between member states of the Union;
• non-interference of member states in the internal affairs of other states;
• the right of the Union to intervene in the affairs of the Union State by decision of the Assembly of the organization in the event war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity ;
• peaceful coexistence member states and their right to exist in peace and security;
• the right of member states to request the organization to intervene in state affairs in order to restore peace and security;
• promoting self-sufficiency within the Union;
• promoting gender equality;
• respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good governance;
• promoting social justice to ensure balanced economic development;
• respect for the sanctity of human life, condemnation and rejection of impunity and political assassinations, acts of terrorism and subversion;
• condemnation and rejection of unconstitutional changes of governments.

Structure

The highest organ of the African Union is Assembly, which consists of heads of state and government or their accredited representatives. Meetings of the Assembly in the form of a regular session must be held at least once a year. Moreover, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the Assembly may meet in an emergency session. The Assembly is headed by a chairman, who is elected for a term of one year by the member states from among the heads of state or government. The Assembly has fairly broad powers. She:

• determines the general policy of the African Union;
• accepts, considers and makes decisions on various reports and recommendations prepared by other bodies of the Union;
• considers membership in the organization;
• establishes new bodies of the Union;
• exercises control over the implementation of the policies and decisions of the Union, and also monitors their compliance by member states;
• adopts the budget of the Union;
• provides direction to the Executive Council regarding the management of conflicts, wars and other emergencies and the restoration of peace;
• appoints and removes judges of the Supreme Court of the African Union;
• appoints the Chairman of the Commission and his deputies, the Commissioner of the Commission, and also determines their tasks and term of office.

Decisions in the Assembly are made based on consensus

In order to strengthen further integration processes, primarily economic, in 2004 it was created Pan-African Parliament, which should eventually become the highest legislative body of the African Union. It is located in Midrand in South Africa and consists of 265 representatives from the organization's 53 member states.

Executive Council The (EC) of the African Union is composed of Ministers of Foreign Affairs or other ministers/civil servants appointed by the governments of member states. EC meetings in the form of a regular meeting are held at least twice a year. At the same time, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the EC may meet in an emergency session. The EC coordinates and makes decisions on issues affecting the common interests of member states, monitors the implementation of the political strategy formulated by the Assembly and is responsible to it. The scope of activities and responsibilities of the IP includes:

• energy, industry and natural resources;
• food, agricultural and animal resources, livestock and forestry;
• water resources and irrigation;
• environmental protection, humanitarian action and emergency response;
• transport and communications;
• insurance;
• education, culture, health and workforce development;
• science and technology;
• citizenship, residence and immigration issues;
• social security, including the formulation of policies to protect motherhood and children, as well as the disabled and persons with disabilities;
• establishment of a system of African awards, medals and prizes.

Decisions in the EC, as in the Assembly, are made by consensus or, otherwise, by a 2/3 vote of the organization's member states. However, procedural issues are decided by a simple majority vote.

In addition, there are specialized technical committees that are responsible to the Executive Committee:

• Committee on Agriculture and Agricultural Issues;
• Committee on Currency and Financial Affairs;
• Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Affairs;
• Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment;
• Committee of Transport, Communications and Tourism;
• Committee on Health, Labor and Social Affairs;
• Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources.

There are other bodies within the African Union:

• Supreme Court;
• African Union Commission (the administrative and executive body of the organization, performing the functions of the secretariat of the African Union);
• Committee of Permanent Representatives;
• Economic, Social and Cultural Council;
• Peace and Security Council.

In addition, it is planned to create three financial institutions: African Central Bank(planned to be created by

African Union (AU)

The historical predecessor of the AU is the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU Charter was developed in the context of a divided Africa into groups of states (French-speaking countries, countries of East and Central Africa, etc.) and was approved on May 25, 1963 as a result of the development of a single compromise text from two so-called Casablanca and Lagos projects. The OAU was created to strengthen the unity and solidarity of African states, protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and promote international cooperation.

An important event in the evolution of the OAU was the fourth extraordinary summit meeting of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held on September 9, 1999 in the Libyan city of Sirte, at which the Sirte Declaration was adopted. The main content of this Declaration was the proposal to create an Inter-African Union. In April 2000, lawyers and parliamentarians held a working meeting in Ethiopia, and at the end of May of the same year - in the capital of Libya (Tripoli). As a result of these meetings, a report was prepared, which was then released at the first meeting of OAU ministers to consider issues related to the implementation of the Sirtia Declaration.

In July 2000, in the capital of Togo (Lome), the Constitutive Act on the creation of the AC was adopted. The founding act of the AS provided for the implementation of measures to transition period– the OAU Charter was in effect for another year “in order to ensure that the OAU/AU takes the necessary measures related to the transfer of affairs to the African Union and resolves all issues arising in connection with this process” (clause 1 of Article 33). The creation of the AU and its replacement by the OAU gave new impetus to the process of strengthening primarily the economic basis of integration, which began with the signing of the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC), the so-called Abuja Treaty (Abuja is the capital of Nigeria). Thus, the AU began to play a more prominent role in both the political and economic fields, just like the European Union.

The supreme body of the AC is Assembly, which consists of heads of state and government or their accredited representatives. Meetings of the Assembly in the form of a regular session must be held at least twice a year. Moreover, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the Assembly may meet in an emergency session. The Assembly is headed by a chairman, who is elected for a term of one year by the member states from among the heads of state or government. The Assembly has fairly broad powers:

• – it determines the general policy of the AS; considers and makes decisions on various reports and recommendations prepared by other bodies of the AU;
• – considers the issue of membership in the organization; establishes new bodies of the AC;
• – monitors the implementation of the policies and decisions of the AC, and also monitors their compliance by member states;
• – adopts the AC budget;
• – provides guidance to the Executive Council regarding the resolution of conflicts and other emergencies and the restoration of peace;
• – appoints and removes judges of the Court of the Arbitration Court;
• – appoints the chairman of the commission and his deputies, the commissioner of the commission, and also determines their tasks and term of office.

Decisions in the Assembly are made on the basis of consensus or, otherwise, 2/3 votes of the member states of the AU. Procedural issues are decided by a simple majority of votes.

In order to strengthen further integration processes, in 2004 it was created Pan African Parliament, which is intended to become the highest legislative body of the African Union. It is located in Midrand in South Africa and consists of 265 representatives from 54 AU member states.

Executive Council The AU is composed of foreign ministers or other ministers - civil servants appointed by the governments of member states. Meetings of the Executive Council in the form of a regular meeting are held at least twice a year. At the same time, at the request of any member state and with the approval of 2/3 of the member states, the EC may meet in extraordinary sessions. The Executive Council coordinates and makes decisions on issues affecting the common interests of member states, monitors the implementation of the political strategy formulated by the Assembly and is responsible to it.

The scope of activities and responsibilities of the Executive Council includes: foreign trade; energy, industry and natural resources; food, agricultural products, livestock and forestry; water resources and irrigation; environmental protection, humanitarian action and emergency response; transport and communications; insurance; education, culture, health and workforce development; science and technology; citizenship, residence and immigration issues; social security, including the formulation of policies to protect motherhood and children, as well as the disabled and persons with disabilities; establishment of a system of African awards, medals and prizes.

Decisions of the Executive Council, like the Assembly, are made on the basis of consensus or, otherwise, 2/3 of the votes of the member states of the AU. Procedural issues are decided by a simple majority of votes.

In addition, there are specialized technical committees, which are responsible to the Executive Committee: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Committee on Currency and Financial Affairs; Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Affairs; Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment; Committee of Transport, Communications and Tourism; Committee on Health, Labor and Social Affairs; Committee on Education, Culture and Human Resources.

Other bodies also operate within the framework of the AC:

• – African Court;
• – AC Commission;
• – Committee of Permanent Representatives;
• – Economic, Social and Cultural Council;
• – Peace and Security Council.

It is planned to create an African Central Bank, an African Monetary Fund, and an African Investment Bank.

Within the framework of the AC there also operates African Human Rights System, which is based on the following international legal acts:

• – African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights 1981 and its protocols – Protocol on the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights 1998 and Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa 2003;
• – OAU Convention for the Regulation of Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, 1969;
• – African Cultural Charter 1976;
• – Charter for African Cultural Renaissance 2006 (intended to replace the 1976 Charter);
• – African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1990;
• – African Youth Charter 2006;
• – Kampala Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, 2009, etc.

The African human rights system includes organizational human rights structures:

• – African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights;
• – African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights;
• – African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Within the framework of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights there are special procedures for the protection of human rights.

The AU Secretariat and the AU Commission are located in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – an international organization that unites 57 states of the world (including six members of the CIS: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) on a religious basis and is the second after the UN in terms of numerical composition. Russian Federation has been an observer in this organization since June 30, 2005. This is essentially an interregional association. Until June 28, 2011, the OIC was called the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), but by the decision of the participants of the 38th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Astana on June 28–30, 2011, it was renamed the OIC.

The organization was founded in 1969 at the Conference of Muslim Heads of State in Rabat with the aim of ensuring Islamic solidarity in the social, economic and political spheres, fighting against colonialism, neo-colonialism and racism and supporting the Palestine Liberation Organization. The OIC is the largest and most influential official governmental Islamic international organization. Goals of creating IPO : cooperation between Muslim states, joint participation in activities in the international arena, achieving stable development of participating countries.

Governing bodies of the OIC.

• – meeting of kings, heads of state and government (summit);
• – conference of foreign ministers;
• – general secretariat;
• - auxiliary organs.

Meeting of Kings, Heads of State and Government (summit) determines the general policy of Muslim states. Similar meetings are held every three years.

Conference of Foreign Ministers is held annually. If necessary, extraordinary conferences are convened.

General Secretariat is the executive body of the OIC. The head of the secretariat is Secretary General, who is elected by the conference of foreign ministers for a four-year term. The powers of the Secretary General can be extended only once. The Secretary General has four deputies: political affairs, science and technology, economic affairs, social, cultural and information affairs. In addition to the deputies, there is an office director who organizes cleanly technical work secretariat.

The General Secretariat includes a number of departments: socio-economic, but science and technology, Asian affairs, African affairs, international issues, information, human rights and religious minorities, Muslim non-governmental organizations, etc.

With OIS There are a number of autonomous organizations operating created by the decisions of its conferences and whose activities are coordinated by the General Secretariat: Islamic Development Bank; Islamic News Agency; Organization of radio and television services of Islamic states; Islamic Commission for Economic and Cultural Affairs; Islamic Center for Vocational Training and Research; Islamic Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development; Center for the Study of Islamic Art and Culture; Jerusalem Foundation, Jerusalem Committee; Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Organization of Islamic Capitals;

Center for Statistical, Economic and Social Research; Committee of Islamic Solidarity with Muslim African Countries of the Sahel Zone; Islamic Shipowners Association; Islamic Center for Trade Development; Islamic Development Fund; Islamic Court of Justice; Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture.

Within the framework of the OIC, work is underway to create regional system for the protection of human rights.

Thus, in June 2005, the OIC adopted the Convention on the Rights of Children in Islam, and in June 2011, at the 38th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, held in Astana, resolution 2/38-LEG was adopted on the creation of a Permanent independent commission on human rights of the OIC, to which the Statute of the Permanent Independent Commission on Human Rights of the OIC became an annex. The commission will include 18 experts. The commission's powers do not include consideration of individual complaints; it will conduct research on priority issues of human rights protection and coordinate efforts to exchange human rights information between OIC member states.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)– a regional organization uniting 10 countries of Southeast Asia: Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines. ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 based on Bangkok Declaration. Initially, it included Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Goals The ASEAN Declaration declared: strengthening peace and regional stability; acceleration of economic development, social and cultural progress of the countries of the region.

The ASEAN treaty was formalized in 1976, when three documents were signed:

• – Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia;
• – Declaration of consent;
• – Agreement establishing a permanent ASEAN Secretariat.

From that moment on, ASEAN acquired organizational structures for carrying out its activities, principles for its activities and a program of action.

In 1984, Brunei became the sixth member of ASEAN. Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The Association has evolved from initially a subregional organization into a regional union of all the states of Southeast Asia (except East Timor).

In 2003, the second one was adopted Declaration of consent, which was based on the ASEAN Vision 2020 concept. In this document, ASEAN announced its plans to create by 2020 the ASEAN Community, which will have three pillars: the Security Community, the Economic Community and the Social and Cultural Community (this deadline was postponed to 2015 by the adoption of the Cebu Declaration in 2007). ).

Aimed at achieving this goal Vientiane Program of Action, adopted at the 10th ASEAN Summit in 2004. The Program identifies the achievement of closer integration and a parallel reduction in the gap in the levels of development of its members as priority areas for the Association's activities in the future.

A turning point in the history of ASEAN occurred in 2008, when its Charter came into force. With the adoption of the Charter, ASEAN became a full subject of international law (Article 3). The structure of the Association's governing bodies is noticeably strengthened. In accordance with Art. 7 of the Charter ASEAN Summit, held at the level of heads of state and government of member states, it is ASEAN's highest political body. The Summits review and develop policy guidelines and take decisions on key issues affecting ASEAN's objectives, those of concern to Member States, and issues referred to the Summit by the ASEAN Coordination Council, the ASEAN Community Councils and ASEAN Ministerial Bodies.

ASEAN Coordination Council according to Art. 8 of the Charter is composed of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and meets at least twice a year. The functions of the ASEAN Coordination Council include: preparation of the ASEAN Summits; coordination of the implementation of agreements and decisions of the ASEAN Summit: coordination of positions with the councils of the ASEAN Community in order to strengthen political ties, efficiency and interaction between them; submission of reports of the ASEAN Community Councils for consideration

ASEAN Summit; consideration of the annual reports of the Secretary-General on the work of ASEAN; approving the appointment and removal of Deputy Secretaries-General on the recommendation of the Secretary-General; carrying out other activities provided for by the Charter or prescribed by instructions of the ASEAN Summit. In key areas of integration (politics and security, economics, socio-cultural cooperation), three councils have been created at the level of heads of relevant ministries and departments, which must report to the heads of ASEAN countries on the progress of building the ASEAN Community in their areas. In order to realize the objectives of each of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, each ASEAN Community Council must ensure the implementation of the decisions of the ASEAN Summit and coordinate work in the various areas within their sphere of competence, as well as affecting the powers of other Community Councils (Article 9).

Significantly increased role Secretary General ASEAN, which enjoys ministerial status. His candidacy is approved by a decision of the ASEAN Summit on the proposal of the Coordination Council for one term of five years without the right of re-election. According to Art. 11 of the ASEAN Charter, he is endowed not only with the functions of the chief official, but also with the authority to represent ASEAN in the international arena.

The Secretariat operates under the leadership of the Secretary General, whose apparatus is strengthened by qualified specialists. They must work solely in the interests of ASEAN. V i. 8 tbsp. 11 of the ASEAN Charter specifically states that the Secretary-General and Secretariat staff shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or other external entity outside ASEAN.

Member States undertake to respect the exclusive responsibility of the Secretary-General and members of the Secretariat staff and not to attempt to influence them in the performance of their duties.

In accordance with Art. 13 of the ASEAN Charter, each ASEAN member state has established ASEAN National Secretariat, which shall serve as the central ASEAN institution in the member state. And it must also send a Permanent Representative with the rank of ambassador to represent the ASEAN in Jakarta (Indonesia), from among which it was created Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (v. 12).

In case of disagreements regarding the implementation of certain contracts and agreements, the parties can contact an independent body that is authorized to make decisions. Parties to a dispute may also request the ASEAN Chair or the ASEAN Secretary-General to provide good offices, assistance in conciliation or mediation (Article 23). According to Art. 26 of the ASEAN Charter, if after applying the above procedures the dispute remains unresolved, then it is subject to referral to the ASEAN Summit.

In Art. 21 of the ASEAN Charter establishes a new procedure for making and executing decisions on economic issues (the principle of consensus). But if consensus proves impossible, the flexible participation formula applies, including the ASEAN Minus X formula if agreed upon.

Article 14 of the ASEAN Charter provides for the establishment of a human rights body, which “shall act in accordance with the terms of reference to be determined by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.”

The statutes of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights were adopted on July 20, 2009, and commission members were appointed in October 2009 at the 15th ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights is the first international regional body responsible for the protection, promotion and implementation of human rights in Asia.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a subregional intergovernmental organization that was founded in 2001 by the leaders of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The total territory of the SCO countries is 61% of the territory of Eurasia. Its total demographic composition is a quarter of the world's population. The observer states of the SCO are India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan. In March 2008, Iran submitted an official statement of intention to become a full member of the SCO.

The highest decision-making body in the SCO is the Council of Heads of Member States (CHS). It meets once a year and makes decisions and instructions on all important issues of the organization.

The Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states (CHG) meets once a year to discuss the strategy of multilateral cooperation and priority areas within the organization, resolve fundamental and pressing issues of economic and other cooperation, and also approves the annual budget of the organization.

In addition to the meetings of the CHS and the CST, there is also a mechanism of meetings at the level of heads of parliaments, secretaries of security councils, ministers of foreign affairs, defense, emergency situations, economy, transport, culture, education, health, heads of law enforcement agencies, supreme and arbitration courts, prosecutors general. The coordination mechanism within the SCO is the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO Member States (SNK). The organization has two permanent bodies - the Secretariat in Beijing under the leadership of the Secretary General and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure in Tashkent, headed by the Director.

The Secretary General and the Director of the Executive Committee are appointed by the CHS for a period of three years.

The activities of the SCO initially lay in the sphere of mutual intraregional actions to suppress terrorist acts, as well as separatism and extremism in Central Asia. On June 7, 2001, in St. Petersburg, at a meeting of the heads of state of the SCO, it was signed Agreement on the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure. The SCO is not and does not intend to become a military bloc, but the growing danger of “terrorism, extremism and separatism” makes it necessary to involve armed forces. The main goals of the SCO are: strengthening mutual trust and good neighborliness between member countries; promoting their effective cooperation in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields; jointly ensuring and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region; progress towards the creation of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.

• Cm.: Abashidze A. Kh., Solntsev A. M. Anniversary of the African system of human and peoples’ rights // Eurasian Legal Journal. 2012. No. 2 (45). pp. 22-25.

The modern world is a multipolar community. The European Union is widely known. By analogy with this community, they created their own territorial entity - the African Union.

Date of establishment of the organization

The date of establishment of the organization has not yet been clearly established. recognizes July 9, 2002 as the birthday of the union. The members of the association themselves consider the founding date to be May 26, 2001. Why did such discrepancies arise?

The resolution on the formation of the African Union was adopted in September 1999 at an emergency meeting of African heads of state in Libya (in the city of Sirte). The following year, they approved the act establishing the AU at a summit in Lomé (Togo) and proclaimed the creation of the union. In May 2001, fifty-one African countries ratified the act establishing the AU. This is how the first date appeared.

The 37th Assembly of the OAU in July of the same year in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) approved basic documents characterizing the legislative basis and structure of the new organization. The Establishing Charter replaced the Charter of the OAU, which remained the legal basis throughout the transition period from the AOE to the AU (which lasted a year). On July 9, 2002, the AU summit opened for the first time, which was held in the city of Durban (South Africa). It elected Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, as the first President of the African Union. Europeans consider this date to be the beginning of the history of the African Union.

Reasons for the formation of the union

The African Union is the largest organization of states on the African continent. The reasons for its occurrence grew out of the economic and political changes that occurred in the world after the formation of the first interstate association of African countries.

After seventeen African countries achieved independence in 1960, called the “Year of Africa,” their leaders decided to act together to solve the problems that arose. Back in 1963, the countries joined forces within the framework of the Organization of African Unity. The primary goals of the political interstate association were: protecting national independence and the integrity of the territory of states, developing cooperation between the countries of the union, resolving territorial disputes, interaction in all spheres of life, and focusing on international cooperation.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, most of the goals had been achieved. Due to dramatic changes in international cooperation, African countries are facing new challenges. On the basis of the OAU, it was decided to create a successor with new goals. The current economic situation in African countries requires the search for new effective mechanisms for resolving emerging problems.

Main difference

The formed union of African countries developed and began to implement the economic program NEPAD (according to the first letters of the English name New Partnership for Africa's Development) - “New Partnership for African Development”. The program implies long-term development of states based on integration among themselves and equal cooperation with countries of the world community.

The transition of the union from the priority of political goals to economic principles, as history shows, will have a beneficial effect on solving the existing problems of African countries. This refers to the main difference between the OAU and the AC. Economic interaction between states is planned without attempts to change the current political and administrative division.

Purpose of the organization

The primary goal is the economic integration of African countries. Economic and political cooperation, coupled with strengthening solidarity at the international level, is aimed at achieving the goal of protecting sovereignty and creating optimal conditions life of the peoples of Africa.

Main tasks

To achieve the set goals, the main areas of activity, formulated as the tasks of the African Union, have been identified. In first place is the development and strengthening of the integration of African countries in the socio-economic and political spheres. To fulfill it, the implementation of the second task is required: to protect the interests of the population of the continent, promoting them to the international level. From the first two follows the next task, without achieving which it is impossible to fulfill the previous ones: ensuring the peace of all countries of the continent and their security. And the final task: promoting the formation of democratic institutions and the protection of human rights.

Union member states

Today, the African Union includes fifty-four states. If we consider that the African continent is home to fifty-five countries and five unrecognized and self-proclaimed states, then these are almost all African countries. As a matter of principle, the Kingdom of Morocco does not join the union of African states, explaining its refusal by the union’s unlawful decision to include Western Sahara. Morocco considers this territory its own.

Countries did not join the African Union at the same time. Most of them were founders of the Organization of African Unity in 1963. After the transformation of the OAU, they all transferred to the African Union. In 1963, on May twenty-fifth, the union included the countries: Algeria, Benin (until 1975 Dahomey), Burkina Faso (until 1984 Upper Volta), Burundi, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Democratic Egypt, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d" Ivoire (called Ivory Coast until 1986), Madagascar, Liberia, Mauritania, Mali, Libya, Morocco (left the union in 1984), Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Nigeria, Tunisia , Central African Sudan, Ethiopia. On December the thirteenth of the same year, the country of Kenya joined the OAU.

Enlargement of the union to the size of a continent

In 1964, Tanzania joined the OAU on January 16, Malawi on July 13, and Zambia on December 16. Gambia joined in October 1965, Botswana on October 31, 1966. In 1968, three more countries joined the ranks of the organization: Mauritius, Swaziland - September 24, 1968, - October 12. Botswana, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau joined the union on October 19, 1973. And in 1975, Angola joined on February 11, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe Cape Verde, Comoros on July 18. On June 29, 1976, the Seychelles complemented the union. Djibouti joined the rest of the states on June 27, 1977, Zimbabwe (the country of poor millionaires, as it is called) - in 1980, Western Sahara - on February 22, 1982. The nineties again led to an increase in the number of members of the Organization of African Unity: Namibia joined in 1990, Eritrea became a member on May 24, 1993, and South Africa became a member on June 6, 1994. The last state to gain membership in the African Union on July 28, 2011 was

Diversity of participating countries

The AU includes countries that, in terms of their socio-economic development, are at different stages of development. Let us characterize some of them.

The country of Nigeria is not inferior to other African countries in terms of population. However, it is only in fourteenth place in terms of its territory. Since 2014, the state has become the leading oil producer on the continent.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world and ranks among the top five. Rich deposits of oil, bauxite and phosphates are not being developed. The main occupation of the population is fishing and rice cultivation.

The country of Senegal is also one of the poorest. The development of deposits of gold, oil, iron ore and copper is weak. The state survives on humanitarian aid funds coming from abroad.

Cameroon is a country of opposites. On the one hand, it is a state with significant oil reserves, ranking eleventh among oil-producing countries in Africa. This allows us to call the country a self-sufficient state. On the other hand, half of its population is below the poverty line.

Fundamental Principles

The relevance of armed conflicts between countries led to the formation of the basic principle of the AU. Transnational corporations and the local elite are interested in obtaining the right to own and dispose of deposits of various minerals on the territory of the countries of the continent. To prevent possible armed conflicts, a rule has been adopted to recognize the state borders of the union members, which they established at the time they achieved independence.

The Union has assumed the right to directly intervene in the affairs of member states of the organization if the decision is made by two-thirds of all members of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Such a decision and the subsequent deployment of AU troops is possible in the event of genocide against individual peoples, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Tradition and innovation

The new principle is that heads of government who came to power through illegal means are not allowed to work in the AC. A number of sanctions are provided for violating countries, ranging from deprivation of a vote at the Assembly and ending with the termination of economic interaction. The measures are aimed at increasing the responsibility of state leaders.

In the international arena, the AU adheres to the principles of cooperation and non-alignment as proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations.

Structure of authorities

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is at the head of the highest authorities of the African Union and convenes once a year. The executive branch is dominated by the AC Commission. For the election of the Chairman of the AU and the Chairman of the AU Commission, elections are held once a year. A peculiar tradition has developed in the OAU: the chair of the African Union is occupied by the head of state in which the summit was held. The structure of government involves the election of an All African Parliament (AAP).

The judiciary is headed by the Court of the Union, which is headquartered in the country of Nigeria. To solve all-Union problems, the African Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund, and the African Investment Bank were created. As necessary, the Assembly has the right to organize specialized technical committees to resolve pressing issues. This is how a union emerged on issues of economics, social policy and culture. In 2010, troops were formed to replace the initially created regional multinational forces.

The African Union Commission has eight members. Women make up the vast majority of them (five out of eight). The regulations on the UPA recommend the introduction of two women among the five mandatory deputies from each member country of the union.

The leadership center and Administration of the African Union are located in Ethiopia in the city of Addis Ababa.

African Union Development Prospects

The twenty-first century seeks to avoid unforeseen situations, paying increasing attention to the formation and development of supranational structures. Today, international intergovernmental organizations are turning into centers for directing efforts to solve global problems modernity. The integration of African countries, which for the most part belong to the category of the poorest, is called upon to unite efforts to eliminate the causes of poverty.

The AU replaces the two existing international ones, the OAU and the AEC (African Economic Community). The operation of the nuclear power plant, designed for thirty-four years (starting from 1976), could not cope with the negative consequences of globalization. The AC is called upon to correct the situation.