AFRICAN UNION

Feb. 11, 2019

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has been elected as the chairman of the African Union at the continental body's summit in Ethiopia. His election brings an end the one-year chairmanship of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame.

About:

When formed: 2002.
HQ: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Membership: 55 countries of the continent of Africa.
Main objectives are:
- To rid the continent of the remaining 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 Member States and
- To promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.
Key initiatives taken:
- New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): It is an economic development program of the African Union; STARTED IN 2001.
- The Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) - 1991: commonly known as the Abuja Treaty, it seeks to create the AEC through six stages culminating in an African Common Market using the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as building blocks. The Treaty has been in operation since 1994.