African Union

Association established in 1963 as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to eradicate colonialism and improve economic, cultural, and political cooperation in Africa. Its headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It comprises 53 members representing virtually the whole of central, southern, and northern Africa.

The AU, which replaced the OAU in 2002, operates on a similar model to the European Union (EU) and established the Pan-African Parliament in 2004. More economically based than its predecessor, its vision includes an integrated economy. It also has a mandate to intervene in African conflicts, and has sent its integrated peacekeeping forces into Burundi (2003) and the Darfur region of Sudan (2004).