International Organisation II – African Union SS3 Government Lesson Note

AFRICAN UNION – (HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE)

The African Union was established on Monday 8th of July 2002 by African Heads of State in Durban, South Africa. This marked the end of the organisation of African Unity (O.A.U) after 39 years of its existence.The formation of African Union (A.U) was initiated by Libyan leader Moamen Gadhafi, who first proposed it as a full blown “United States of Africa.”  The 37th summit of the organisation of African Union (O.A.U) held between the 9th -13th of July, 2001 was when the protocol establishing A.U. was signed. This summit was held in Lome, Togo and that was the last summit of the O.A.U.

Africa Union has 53 members which include every African nation, except Morocco which withdrew from the O.A.U in 1985 after the admission of Western Sahara into O.A.U. The A.U has the power to interfere in the internal affairs of members, unlike the O.A.U.

 Aims and Objectives  

1. To promote democracy and fundamental human rights.
2. To facilitate economic development in Africa.
3. To end the senseless wars and conflicts causing so much pain and suffering to Africa.
4. To defeat poverty, disease and ignorance in the continent.
5. To promote deep and strong political, economic and social integration among member states.
6. To introduce a single currency for the African continent.

 EVALUATION

1. Give a brief history of A.U’s formation.
2. Give 4 aims and objectives of the A.U.

 STRUCTURE OF THE AFRICAN UNION

The African Union is patterned loosely on the European Union and embodies a similar aim of continental integration.

 The 4th ordinary session of the Assembly of African Union (A.U) came up with the following decision.

1. African parliament-to be located in South Africa.
2. African Central Bank in West African.
3. African Investment Bank in North Africa.
4. African monetary fund in central Africa.
5. African court of Justice in East Africa.

 PROPOSED ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN UNION

1. Regional economic co-operation which can also bring about infrastructural development in areas like transport, communications and energy which would otherwise be too expensive for some 

 GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. State the proposed achievements of the African Union.
2. Describe the pre-colonial administration in Yoruba land
3. What functions did age grade perform in Igboland?
4. Compare the Igbo pre-colonial system of government with the Hausa pre-colonial political system.

 READING ASSIGNMENT

1. Comprehensive Government by J.U Anyaele. 225-228
2. Essential Government by C.C Dibie pg 245-247

 WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The African Union was established in —— (a) July 2002 (b) July 2001 (c) July 2003
2. The formation of African Union was initiated by ——- (a) Olusegun Obasanjo (b) Moamer Gadhafi (c) Thombo Mbeki
3. African Union is made up of —— members (a) 52 (b) 54 (c) 53
4. The following are the aims of African Union except ——- (a) To promote democracy (b) To eradicate poverty (c) To promote colonialism
5. The following are organs of A.U except (a) The trusteeship council (b) The commission (c) The executive council

 THEORY

1. What are the proposed achievements of A.U.?
2. List and explain the organs of A.U.