Transcription
2019
A GUIDE FOR THOSE WORKINGWITH AND WITHIN THE AFRICAN UNIONAFRICAN UNIONHANDBOOK 2019
First published in 2014 and reprinted annually as a revised editionSixth edition African Union Commission and New Zealand Crown Copyright Reserved 2019ISSN: 2350-3319 (Print)ISSN: 2350-3335 (Online)ISBN: 978-92-95104-62-4 (Print)ISBN: 978-92-95104-64-8 (Online)Jointly published by the African Union Commission and New Zealand Ministryof Foreign Affairs and Trade/Manatū AorereAfrican Union CommissionPO Box 3243Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area), W21K19, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaWebsite: www.au.intEmail: DIC@africa-union.orgMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Manatū AorerePrivate Bag 18–901, Wellington, New ZealandWebsite: www.mfat.govt.nzEmail: cmd@mfat.govt.nzA PDF version of this book is available on the AU website www.au.int and the New Zealand Ministry ofForeign Affairs and Trade website www.mfat.govt.nz.The African Union Commission and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade shall not be underany liability to any person or organisation in respect of any loss or damage (including consequential lossor damage), however caused, which may be incurred or which arises directly or indirectly from reliance oninformation in this publication.Photo on page 8 AUC 2018, all rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all in any formis prohibited. You may not, except with AUC’s express written permission, copy, reproduce, distribute or exploitthe content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission Photography.Cover image: by the African Union Commission.
CONTENTS3MEMBER STATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5FOREWORDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7By the Chairperson of the African Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7By the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8By the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9AFRICAN UNION STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11WHAT THIS BOOK DOES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENTEXECUTIVE COUNCIL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70SPECIALISED TECHNICAL COMMITTEESPEACE AND SECURITY COUNCILAfrican Peace and Security Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Chairperson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Deputy Chairperson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Commissioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92AUC Organisational Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105Permanent Representational and Specialised Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Special Representative and Liaison Offices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108High Representatives, Special Envoys and Special Representatives of theChairperson of the AU Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110Other Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JUDICIAL, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL ORGANS AND BODIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114120124African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126African Court of Justice/African Court of Justice and Human Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128AU Commission on International Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129AU Advisory Board on Corruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
4FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136African Central Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136African Investment Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136African Monetary Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIALISED AND TECHNICAL AGENCIES, TREATY BODIESAND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140144160Economic Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160Education, Human Resources, Science and Technology Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161Energy and Infrastructure Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167Rural Economy and Agriculture Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175Security Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181Social Affairs Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184Other Bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE AU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192United Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192African Development Bank Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195Other Partnerships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198BUDGET AND SCALE OF ASSESSMENTAPPENDICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212Appendix I: Constitutive Act of the African Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212Appendix II: Protocol on Amendments to the Constitutive Act of the African Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Appendix III: African Union legal instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224Appendix IV: Calendar of African Union days, years and decades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229Appendix V: African Union Anthem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230ACRONYMSINDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
MEMBER STATES5African Union Member State names and abbreviationsThe full names on the left in the following list are the official names of Member States as of1 September 2018.1 The abbreviations are the names used in this Handbook. The list alsoshows the date of joining the African Union (AU) or its predecessor, the Organization ofAfrican Unity (OAU).Member StateAbbreviationDate of joiningthe OAU or AUPeople’s Democratic Republic of AlgeriaAlgeria25 May 1963Republic of AngolaAngola11 February 1975Republic of BeninBenin25 May 1963Republic of BotswanaBotswana31 October 1966Burkina FasoBurkina Faso25 May 1963Republic of BurundiBurundi25 May 1963Republic of Cabo VerdeCabo Verde18 July 1975Republic of CameroonCameroon25 May 1963Central African RepublicCentral African Republic25 May 1963Republic of ChadChad25 May 1963Union of the ComorosComoros18 July 1975Republic of the CongoCongo Republic25 May 1963Republic of Côte d’IvoireCôte d’Ivoire25 May 1963Democratic Republic of CongoDR Congo25 May 1963Republic of DjiboutiDjibouti27 June 1977Arab Republic of EgyptEgypt25 May 1963Republic of Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea12 October 1968State of EritreaEritrea24 May 1993Kingdom of EswatiniEswatini24 September 1968Federal Democratic Republic of EthiopiaEthiopia25 May 1963Gabonese RepublicGabon25 May 1963Republic of the GambiaGambia9 March 1965Republic of GhanaGhana25 May 1963Republic of GuineaGuinea25 May 1963Republic of Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau19 November 1973Republic of KenyaKenya13 December 1963Kingdom of LesothoLesotho31 October 1966Republic of LiberiaLiberia25 May 1963LibyaLibya25 May 1963Republic of MadagascarMadagascar25 May 1963Note1 Some Member State names have changed since joining the OAU or AU.
6Republic of MalawiMalawi13 July 1964Republic of MaliMali25 May 1963Islamic Republic of MauritaniaMauritania25 May 1963Republic of MauritiusMauritiusAugust 1968Kingdom of Morocco2Morocco1963/31 January 2017Republic of MozambiqueMozambique18 July 1975Republic of NamibiaNamibiaJune 1990Republic of NigerNiger25 May 1963Federal Republic of NigeriaNigeria25 May 1963Republic of RwandaRwanda25 May 1963Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicSahrawi Republic22 February 1982Democratic Republic of São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé and Príncipe18 July 1975Republic of SenegalSenegal25 May 1963Republic of SeychellesSeychelles29 June 1976Republic of Sierra LeoneSierra Leone25 May 1963Federal Republic of SomaliaSomalia25 May 1963Republic of South AfricaSouth Africa6 June 1994Republic of South SudanSouth Sudan27 July 2011Republic of the SudanSudan25 May 1963Togolese RepublicTogo25 May 1963Republic of TunisiaTunisia25 May 1963Republic of UgandaUganda25 May 1963United Republic of TanzaniaTanzania25 May 1963Republic of ZambiaZambia16 December 1964Republic of ZimbabweZimbabwe18 June 1980Other commonly used abbreviationsAUAfrican UnionAUCAfrican Union CommissionAssemblyAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government (unless otherwise specified)CommissionAU Commission (unless otherwise specified)ContinentContinent and islands of AfricaOAUOrganization of African UnityPRCAU Permanent Representatives CommitteePSCAU Peace and Security CouncilRECsRegional Economic CommunitiesUNUnited NationsA full list of acronyms is available at the end of this book.Note2 Morocco left the AU’s predecessor, the OAU, in 1984. In September 2016, Morocco officially submitted a request to accede tothe AU Constitutive Act and become a member of the Union. The AU Assembly decided at its 28th Ordinary Session in January2017 to admit Morocco as a new Member State (Assembly/AU/Dec.639(XXVIII)). Morocco deposited its instrumentof accession to the Constitutive Act on 31 January 2017.
FOREWORDBY THE CHAIRPERSON OFTHE AFRICAN UNIONOn behalf of the African Union Heads of State and Government,it is my pleasure to introduce the 2019 edition of theAfrican Union Handbook, which is an invaluable resource forthose who work both with and within the African Union.The past year has seen significant progress towardAgenda 2063, with the signing of the Agreement on the African Continental Free TradeArea and the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons. These historic pacts accelerateregional integration, and once ratified, they will open up new pathways to prosperity for allAfrica’s citizens.Implementation of the institutional reform of the African Union continues apace, andconsultation and dialogue around this crucial imperative has deepened. At the heart ofour reforms is the urgent need to position Africa to address the current challenges andopportunities on the global scene. Doing so requires that our organisation be structured andresourced to take the lead in championing Africa’s development and security agenda.We are effecting changes that have already made our Union stronger and more effective, andthis work will continue. We now have a credible budget process and a replenished PeaceFund, among other elements. As a result, we have a greater voice when it comes to protectingthe security of our continent.This year we have also emphasised the importance of speaking with one unified Africanvoice on issues that affect us all. This gives force to the ideals that guided the founders of ourpan-African institution, and the generations of African patriots whom they inspired.Our shared responsibility is to promote unity and cooperation among the peoples and statesof Africa, as laid down in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. This spirit of solidaritybinds us together as Africans. Partnership and togetherness are the bedrock values of astrong Union.We appreciate the numerous partners around the world who continue to support thedevelopment agenda of the African Union and the Member States in various ways. We attachgreat value to the continuation of these mutually beneficial partnerships. We extend specialthanks to the Government of New Zealand for its on-going commitment to the African UnionCommission for the publication of this Handbook.In the year ahead, let us continue working together to advance the cause of peace, unity, andwell-being on our continent and beyond.H.E. Paul KagamePRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDAAFRICAN UNION CHAIRPERSON JANUARY 2018 TO FEBRUARY 20197
8FOREWORDBY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICANUNION COMMISSIONWelcome to the 2019 edition of the African Union Handbook.The Handbook is one of the key resources available to providea better understanding of the mandate of our Union, itsstructure and how it operates.As we look back at 2018, we are proud of the key accomplishments that we achieved aspart of our ongoing initiatives to promote regional integration. The launch of the SingleAfrican Air Transport Market, the signing of the agreements on the establishment of theAfrican Continental Free Trade Area and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, as wellas initiatives towards launching the African Passport, were major achievements for Africa’speople, as we work towards building a united Africa.In addition, the African Union focused its efforts on promoting a culture of good governancewithin the continent. Under the AU’s 2018 theme – Winning the fight against corruption: Asustainable path for Africa’s transformation – we reinforced our commitment to implementingactivities to support Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063, which envisions “An Africa of goodgovernance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”.Good governance is also at the core of our ongoing Institutional Reform, which aims toreposition the African Union to operate in an effective and efficient manner in the pursuitof Agenda 2063, better connect with African citizens, and play its rightful role on theinternational stage.An integral part of the reform process is strengthening the internal governance of theCommission. It is my goal that all our staff, as well as elected officials, lead by example andcontinue to demonstrate their professional service to the continent. The Commission iscommitted to diligently implementing decisions within the context of Institutional Reform tohelp build the Africa We Want.As we look forward to 2019, it is vital that we focus on ending the violent conflicts and politicalcrises that plague parts of our continent and which inflict untold suffering on our people.Nothing is more urgent than a peaceful and stable Africa. Our focus in 2019 is to highlight theplight of the many voices ignored and silenced as a result of domestic instability. Our 2019theme – The Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards DurableSolutions to Forced Displacement in Africa – is our commitment to ensure we not only give avoice to the voiceless, but we put in place actions that will ensure a greater awareness of theirplight and ensure our common commitment to end their suffering.Finally, I would like to thank the New Zealand Government that continues to partner with us,through the Directorate of Information and Communication, to produce this annual publication.Our thanks to all who work with us, and very best wishes for 2019.H.E. Moussa Faki MahamatCHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
FOREWORDBY THE NEW ZEALAND MINISTEROF FOREIGN AFFAIRSTena koutou, tena tatou koutou, tena koutou katoa.This is a traditional welcome in the indigenous language ofNew Zealand Māori and means greetings to one and all.The New Zealand Government is pleased to once again partnerwith the African Union Commission in the annual publication of the African Union Handbook.This is the sixth edition in English and fifth in French, and includes new and updatedinformation about the Union, its organs and related bodies.As a factual and concise reference guide to all aspects of the African Union and itsCommission, this latest edition firmly reinforces the AU Handbook as an invaluable andirreplaceable tool for anyone working with, and within, the AU system.Africa is growing and transforming at an impressive rate. However, this path brings with it thechallenges of creating opportunities for prosperity for its people, particularly the youth. Throughits ambitious integration agenda, African Union members have committed themselves to aspireto a world where international connections between peoples and nations are powerful toolsfor creating prosperous societies, and has set in motion substantial mechanisms which willchange the way Africa trades and travels amongst diverse membership.By working to establish an integrated African market through the ambitious AgreementEstablishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa has shown the world thatinternational connections between peoples and nations are the most powerful tools forcreating prosperous societies based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.The African Union continues to play a critical role in promoting dialogue-centred conflictprevention, aiming to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2020. New Zealand was proud to partnerwith the African Union to jointly host the May 2018 high-level meeting on Peace OperationsTraining and Capacity Building: African Perspectives on Innovative Capacity Building forEffective Peace Operations, a very successful prelude to New Zealand’s hosting of theInternational Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres annual conference in Aucklandin October 2018. The Union’s accomplishments in conflict prevention, management andresolution are invaluable building blocks to strengthening peace and security in Africa.At a time when the need for collective global action and multilateralism has never been clearer,New Zealand expresses its profound respect to the African Union for the commitments it hasmade under Agenda 2063 towards ach
African Union Handbook African Union Headquarters PO Box 3243, Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T: 251 [0] 115 517 700 www.au.int The logo for the 2019 Theme of the Year has been built around the crisis facing refugees in Africa. "Whereas migration is a common
