The PowerPoint presentation summarizes the African Union (AU), a continental organization consisting of 55 member states located in Africa. It was established in 2001 with the goals of promoting unity, solidarity, and cooperation among African countries to accelerate economic and political integration across the continent, as well as promoting peace, security, democracy, and human rights. The AU is governed by several bodies including the Assembly, Executive Council, and Commission, and was established to replace the previous Organization of African Unity formed in 1963.

1. Power Point Presentation
V. MURUGAN,
Assistant Professor of History,
Vivekananda College,
Tiruvedakam West,
Madurai District,
Tamil Nadu.

2. African Union (AU)
Flag of the AU Emblem of the AU

3. Introduction
 African Union (AU) is a Continental Organization.
 Consisting of 55 Member States.
 Located on the Continent of Africa.
Headquarters of the AU

4. History
 The historical foundations of the African Union originated in the First Congress of Independence
African States, held in Accra, Ghana from 15 to 22 April 1958.
 Subsequent attempts to unite Africa, including the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was
established on 25 May 1963.
 The African Economic Community was established in 1981.
 The idea of creating the AU was revived in the mid-1990s under the leadership of Libyan head of
state Muammar al-Gaddafi.
 The heads of state and government of the OAU issued the Sirte Declaration (named after Sirte, in
Libya) on 9 September 1999.
 It called for the establishment of an African Union.
 The bloc was founded on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 It was launched on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa.

5. Objectives of the AU
 To achieve greater unity, cohesion and solidarity between the African countries and African nations.
 To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States.
 To accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent.
 To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent.
 To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance. Etc…

6. Organizations of the AU
 The Assembly of the African Union - highest decision-making organ.
 The Pan African Parliament – the representative body – 265 members.
 The Executive Council - made up of foreign Ministers.
 The Permanent Representatives Committee - made up of the ambassadors to Addis Ababa of AU
member states.
 The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) - a civil society consultative body.
 The AU Commission - the secretariat to the political structures.

7. Conclusion
 Barack Obama was the first-ever sitting United States president to speak in front of the African
Union in Addis Ababa, on 29 July 2015.
 He encouraged the world to increase economic ties via investments and trade with the Continent.
 He appreciated the progresses made in education, infrastructure and economy.
 He also criticised a lack of democracy and leaders who refuse to step down, discrimination against
minorities and corruption.