The African Union (AU) is a regional organization that consists of 55 member states located in Africa. It was established in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was founded in 1963. The AU’s mission is to promote peace, security, and development in Africa, and to promote cooperation among member states.
The AU is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has a number of specialized agencies and institutions, including the African Union Commission, the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, and the African Central Bank.
The AU has a number of key priorities, including peace and security, economic development, and regional integration. It has played a significant role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping efforts in Africa, and has also worked to promote economic development through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The AU is governed by a number of bodies, including the Assembly of the African Union, which consists of heads of state and government, and the Executive Council, which is made up of ministers of foreign affairs. The current chairperson of the AU is H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.