Reforming the African Union: Steps Toward Relevance

The African Union was formed with the intended purpose of promoting peace, security and consolidating democracy on the continent. In other words, the purpose of the AU is to help secure Africa’s burgeoning democracy, human rights and a sustainable economy. It is an intergovernmental organization consisting of fifty-three African nations. The formation of the African Union was also to replace the inefficient and lackluster OAU (Organization of African Unity), which was to promote the unity and solidarity of the African states, defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. The creation of political and economic unity across the African continent has been a dream for many decades, and its realization is a great responsibility that falls upon the leaders on the continent. The quest for unity in Africa was the driving force behind the formation of the African Union. It was the goal of the founding fathers of Africa’s political independence and has remained the primary aspiration of citizens across the continent. Today, Africa is once again at a crossroads. The current environment is auspicious for political and economic change and the relevancy and credibility of the African Union is at stake. Current political instability and economic stagnation in several nations is palpable and legitimate reasons for concern. The reality today is that just about everything that could go wrong is going on in some regions of the continent. More than any time, people on the continent are desperately yearning for the deliverables, on democracy, development and institution building. The African Union has been found wanting on all of these critical issues. The current structure and composition of the African Union makes it virtually impossible for the intergovernmental institution to effectively and comprehensively address the pressing and complex problems confronting the continent. Bureaucratic ineptitude, political incompetence and corruption has crippled the African Union and on the brink of losing its credibility. As a direct consequence, the African Union lacks the testicular fortitude to stand up against corruption, bad governance and economic mismanagement in several nations. Many African economies are crippled by corruption, mismanagement and waste. There needs to be a complete and radical overhaul of the entire intergovernmental institution or else the African Union would be rendered irrelevant. The Issues facing the African Union is bringing effective and sustainable change to the whole continent. Recent events in the Darfur region in Sudan goes to the core issues of incompetence and lackluster political leadership. It calls into question the relevancy of the African Union. Why has the African union failed to this point in effectively and comprehensively addressing the situation in the Darfur region in Sudan? One plausible reason is that it lacks the strong political will and leadership necessary to affect political change. Their lickspittle attitude toward corrupt leadership is quite a sight to behold. It is imperative for the intergovernmental institution to take a critical look and analysis of its leadership and stewardship of the continent. Reason and conscience demands it.