African Heads of State have committed themselves to the establishment of the African Union. This has ambitious structures, which will require considerable skill and capacity if they are to function effectively. A carefully phased and prioritised process could enable these institutions and structures to be set up incrementally and to maximum effect.
This Issues Paper addresses four principal issues:
- The African Union reflects the ambitious impulse towards unity across Africa. As a result it has adopted the most ambitious unification model, namely one similar to the European Union. Is this necessarily the best blueprint? Or will it need to be adapted to the requirements of Africa?
- The Constitutive Act of the African Union has identified the component institutions of the Union. But the specific powers and duties of these institutions need to be determined, along with the sequencing of their establishment. How are these components to be specified and prioritised?
- The AU is created in a world with multiple international and regional organizations, which have overlapping mandates and capacities. What linkages should there be between the AU and other international and regional organizations?
- All international institutions are ongoing projects, reflecting evolving conditions. The process of creation is as important as the final product. How should the process of building the AU be envisaged?
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