Answer to Question #197441 in Political Science for Princess

Question

Since the 1960s when African countries started gaining independence from European imperialists, African leaders have embarked on efforts to integrate and unify the African continteny.With this in mind, write an essay in which you discuss the progress that has been made by the African Union in the quest to integrate and unite africa

Answer 1

African Unity

African Union was mainly formed with the intention of promoting solidarity and unity among the African nations and continent as a whole. It consists of 55 state members. The group was originally referred to as Organization of African Unity but the name was later changed from this to Africa Union in 2002 (Nzongola-Ntalaja, 2014). Apart from unity and solidarity promotion, the main objectives of AU are the coordination and intensification of developmental cooperation and to safeguard the territorial and sovereignty and member states. The AU has made progress to ensure that their leading goals are achieved and to ensure that every African nation is at peace with its neighbors. 

First to ensure that there is unity among the member states and the African countries, the AU has it has successfully built the continent’s economy. It did this by launching the African Continental Free Trade Area which for the last two years, has been in development. The free trade the AU launched will not only connects the African countries but it also will be the largest trade area worldwide which will connect more than 1.3 billion people. 

Secondly, the AU has worked hard to promote peace in East Africa. For example, it has done this by participating in negotiations in many countries. For instance, it negotiated around the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. It did this to not only promote peace in South Sudan but to also achieve ceasefire in Libya.

Lastly, to promote unity among the member states, the AU has promoted women inclusion in Economic Finance. Doing this has promoted gender equity which reduces the gender gap between men and women. It also increases peace and unity as it allows women to feel like they are treated equally to the men hence they join hands and work together for the benefit of the continent. 

Reference

Nzongola-Ntalaja, G. (2014). Pan-Africanism since decolonization: from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). African Journal of Democracy and Governance, 1(4), 31-47.