Africa Union and Agenda 2063: past, present and future

Abstract

It is impossible to have a full appreciation of the AU without the OAU as part of its historical context. The genesis of the OAU stems from the collective yearning of continental Africans for unity, dignity, liberation, and self-determination amidst the trials and tribulations of colonial exploitation and postcolonial challenges. A confluence of historical imperatives, including the ravages of struggles against slavery, colonialism, imperialism, racism, apartheid, xenophobia or afro-phobia, the fervor of Pan-Africanism, and the imperative of decolonisation, propelled the birth of this strategic institution. Grounded in the ethos of solidarity and the recognition of shared destinies, African leaders embarked upon the noble endeavours of establishing the OAU. This historic breakthrough, catalyzed by the imperative of collective agency and the fostering of continental cohesion, stands as a testament to Africa’s resolve to chart its destiny and transcend the shackles of oppression, exploitation, and sociopolitical strangulation. Thus, the OAU emerged as a beacon of hope, heralding a new era of African agency, unity, and collective empowerment on the continent and on the global stage.