African Union

The African Union (abbreviated AU), founded in July 2002, is the successor organisation to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Modelled after the European Union (but currently with powers closer to the Commonwealth of Nations), it aims to help promote democracy, human rights and development across Africa, especially by increasing foreign investment through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) program. Its first chairman was South African president Thabo Mbeki.

Overview

Goals for the African Union include an African parliament and a central development bank. As with its predecessor, the OAU, the African Union is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Pan-African Parliament opened officially September 16, 2004, in Midrand, South Africa.

Related Topics:
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia - Pan-African Parliament - September 16 - 2004 - Midrand - South Africa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The current Chairman of the Commission, H.E. Alpha Oumar Konaré, leads the African Union.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Because of the membership of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara), Morocco is the only African nation that has chosen not to be a member.

Related Topics:
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic - Western Sahara - Morocco

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The AU's first military intervention in a member state was the May 2003 deployment of a peacekeeping force of soldiers from South Africa, Ethiopia and Mozambique to Burundi to oversee the implementation of the various agreements. The mission was known as AMIB and has since been taken over by the United Nations, which has designated it ONUB.

Related Topics:
May 2003 - South Africa - Ethiopia - Mozambique - Burundi - United Nations

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~