Umoja waAfrica (African Union)

Background

“The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). In May 1963, 32 Heads of independent African States met in Addis Ababa Ethiopia to sign the Charter creating Africa’s first post-independence continental institution, The Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU was the manifestation of the pan-African vision for an Africa that was united, free and in control of its own destiny and this was solemnised in the OAU Charter in which the founding fathers recognised that freedom, equality, justice and dignity were essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African peoples and that there was a need to promote understanding among Africa’s peoples and foster cooperation among African states in response to the aspirations of Africans for brother-hood and solidarity, in a larger unity transcending ethnic and national Differences. The guiding philosophy was that of Pan-Africanism which centred on African socialism and promoted African unity, the communal characteristic and practices of African communities, and a drive to embrace Africa’s culture and common heritage.” Read more.

Websites

https://au.int

Symbols

Anthem

The African anthem was composed by Ethiopian poet Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin as a poem. In 1986, it was adopted as the African anthem by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU. In 2002, at the formation of the AU, the anthem was continued. The music was composed by Arthur Mudogo Kemoli, a Kenyan, in 1986. It tells the African history of struggle, independence, liberation, labour, unity, justice and hope.

How to cite it:

African Union (AU) (2002). Let as all unite and celebrate together. Anthem. Addis Ababa: AU.

Gabre-Medhin, T. (1966). Proud to be African. Poem. Addis Ababa: Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin

Anthem in Swahili (audiovisual with lyrics)

AU Building/head quarters (HQ)

The AU HQ is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Agenda 2063

Agenda2063: https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview

“As an affirmation of their commitment to support Africa’s new path for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development African heads of state and government signed the 50^th Anniversary Solemn Declaration during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the OAU /AU in May 2013. The declaration marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena and Agenda 2063 is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this vision within a 50 year period from 2013 to 2063. The Africa of the future was captured in a letter presented by the former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlaminin Zuma”

Aspirations

The Agenda is the plan of the AU for 50 years from 2013 to 2063. The agenda has seven (7) aspirations that respond to Africa’s problems as follows:

1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
2. An integrated continent politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of African Renaissance
3. An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
4. A peaceful and secure Africa
5. Africa with a strong cultural identity common heritage, values and ethics
6. An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by the African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children
7. An Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner

Aspirations: https://au.int/en/agenda2063/aspirations

Email from the future

Email from the future (English): https://au.int/sites/default/files/documents/33126-doc-02_email_from_the_future.pdf

Email for the future (French): https://au.int/sites/default/files/documents/33122-doc-02_email_from_the_future_french.pdf

Flagship projects

https://au.int/en/agenda2063/flagship-projects

The AU has social programs and therefore employs or uses the services of social workers. A social worker working with the AU is basically doing continental social work.  The continent is divided into regions, with regional institutions where social workers are also employed. A region includes a collection of countries that are geographically connected.

Regions of Africa

Africa is divided into five regions: East, South, West, Central and North. The regional organisation for all these regions is the African Union (AU) with 55 countries.

East Africa Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia

Southern Africa Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini (which decolonised it name from Swaziland in 2018), Zambia, Zimbabwe

West Africa Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Central Africa Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic – Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé & Principe.

North Africa Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia

Regional economic communities (RECs)

There are regional economic communities (RECs) and regional mechanisms (RMs).

• Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD)
• East African Community (EAC)
• Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
• Southern African Development Community (SADC).