The African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organization that was established on July 9, 2002, with the goal of promoting economic and political integration among African countries. The AU replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which had been established in 1963.
The AU is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and has 55 member states. The organization is committed to promoting African unity, democracy, and development, and its main objectives include:
The AU has several organs and institutions that work together to achieve these objectives. These include the African Union Commission, the Pan-African Parliament, the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, and the African Union Peace and Security Council.
The AU also works with other regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, to address common challenges facing the continent, such as poverty, conflict, and disease. In recent years, the AU has been involved in efforts to resolve conflicts in various African countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia.
Overall, the African Union plays an important role in promoting African unity and addressing the continent's most pressing challenges.