African Union

The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as a major event in the institutional evolution of the continent. On September 9, 1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity issued a declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, inter alia, to accelerating the continent's integration process to enable it to play its rightful role in the global economy while tackling the multifaceted social, economic and political problems aggravated by certain negative aspects of globalization.

The main objectives of the OAU were, among others, to rid the continent of the last vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.