The African Union (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
April 30, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RS21332 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Nicolas Cook, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In July 2002, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963 during the
decolonization
era, was superseded by the African Union (AU). An AU Interim Commission, created to transfer the
institutional and real assets and liabilities of the OAU to the AU, and establish the AU's
organizational structure, is the focal point of AU activities during its inaugural year. The AU's policy
agenda overlaps substantially with that of the OAU, but more strongly emphasizes a need for greater
economic growth and for governance reforms. The AU is likely to confront many of the same policy
and fiscal challenges faced by the OAU (see CRS Report RS20945(pdf) , The Organization of
African
Unity ). H.Res. 155 , introduced in March 2003, urges U.S. support of the AU and its
diverse economic and political goals. This report will be updated as events warrant.
