{"id":215311,"date":"2022-02-01T18:45:12","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T16:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/the-african-union-at-20-a-lot-has-been-achieved-despite-many-flaws\/"},"modified":"2022-02-01T18:45:12","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T16:45:12","slug":"the-african-union-at-20-a-lot-has-been-achieved-despite-many-flaws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/the-african-union-at-20-a-lot-has-been-achieved-despite-many-flaws\/","title":{"rendered":"The African Union at 20: a lot has been achieved despite many flaws"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

There\u2019s a widespread view that the African Union \u2013 and its bureaucracy \u2013 are glorified servants of African governments. This view is supported by scholars<\/a> and by the media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But is it accurate? I address this question in a recent article<\/a> as the organisation marks its 20th anniversary this year.<\/p>\n

The African Union was negotiated, and signed by African governments in 1999. Its founding treaty<\/a> would not have come into existence if at least two-thirds of the 54 African governments and Western Sahara had not ratified and deposited it on May 26, 2001.<\/p>\n

My paper shows that since its official launch in 2002, the African Union has developed considerable agency. I defined this as its capacity to shape the agenda and decisions in Africa and on global affairs. <\/p>\n

There is no question that the African Union has its challenges. It is financially weak and dependent on external donors. It is often seen as a club of old men that is inaccessible to ordinary Africans. And it has implementation deficits, with its work sometimes held back by poorly governed states. <\/p>\n

Yet, the organisation is often at the heart of agenda-setting, decision-making, rule creation, policy development and strategic leadership for the African continent. <\/p>\n

It is, therefore, an oversimplification of the complex relationship between the African Union and its members to treat the pan-African bureaucracy as a mere servant of the continent\u2019s governments. The African Union and its bureaucracy are neither glorified messengers nor docile followers of the orders of African governments. <\/p>\n

It has marshalled its 55 members to take common positions on many critical global issues. These have included building consensus<\/a> on United Nations reforms, the COVID-19 response<\/a>, and financing of African development<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Measuring impact, and failures<\/h2>\n

My paper shows the various pathways that the African Union exercises agency. It offers a nuanced way to understand how the union: <\/p>\n