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Introduction

Welcome to a brand new week and another brief lesson is served by @udyliciouz to you my dearst friends.

Last week, we talked about the United Nations Organization. It aims, organs, achievement as well as Problems was discussed last week.
Today, I will be talking about African formerly known as Organization of African Unity.

African Union (AU)

(former Organization of African Unity (OAU)

African Union (A.U.) was launched in Durban, South Africa, on 9th July 2002. The A.U. replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was formed on 20th December 1962.
The AU will establish a Peace and Security Council, African Parliament, an African Court of Justice, a Central Bank, and eventually an African Economic Community with a single currency. The AU has four key bodies;

(a)The Commission,
(b) The Assembly,
(c) The Executive Council, and
(d) The Permanent Representatives.

The first chairman of AU was Thabo Mbeki, the former South African President, while Amara Essy of Ivory Coast, the last O.A.U. Secretary-General was the first president of AU's Commission, which has replaced the OAU General secretariat.

AU has 54 members with South Sudan as the latest member. All African nations are members except Morocco, which withdrew from O.A.U. in 1985.

Aims and Objectives:

1. African unity and co-operation.
2. Eradication of all forms of colonialism and neo-colonialism in Africa.
3. Promotion of international co- operation, especially on the continent of Africa
4. Coordinating African efforts in order to achieve a better standard of living for its people.

Achievements of AU

1. Settlement of disputes, e.g.,
   between Ethiopia and Somalia (1967); Tanzania Uganda (1978).

2. Aid was given to Ethiopia as a
   result of drought between 1983 and 1984.

3. It has aided liberation of African States, e.g., Angola, Namibia, South Africa, etc.

4. A.U. is in the struggle to mediate between the warring factions in Rwanda, Liberia, etc.
   Liberia's rebel confrontation was laid to rest with Charles Taylor being given asylum in Calabar, Nigeria.

5. Its members usually take common stand on international issues.

6. There is social and cultural unity, e.g., FESTAC, as organised in Nigeria.

7. There is economic co-operation, e.g., through African Development Bank (ADB).

Problems of AU:

1. Finance.
2. Apathy of member states.
3. Lack of African High Command (a
   standing army).
4. Political unrest and instability in member states.
5. Struggle for leadership among member states.
6. Many African leaders' intention to perpetrate themselves in power.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this lessons to the end and will love to hear from you at the comment section.
In our next lesson, I will be talking about Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Good bye!