Geopolitics › Sub-Saharan Africa
African Union (AU)
Since 2002 (OAU 1963); 55 members· Alliance or organization
FactTreaties, membership, measured data, events.
The 55-member body of all African states, founded in 2002 to replace the Organization of African Unity, based in Addis Ababa.
See it on the Geopolitics map →The picture
Heads of state meet yearly in the Assembly; the Commission, chaired since 2025 by Djibouti's Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, runs daily work. The Peace and Security Council authorizes missions, as in Somalia, and suspends members after coups: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, among others. The AU launched the AfCFTA and became a permanent G20 member in 2023. Its Agenda 2063 sets long-term development goals. Much of its budget comes from foreign donors.
Why it matters
It gives Africa a collective voice and a rule against coups, but its leverage over juntas and wars such as Sudan's has proved limited.
Key facts and numbers
The AU's Constitutive Act (2000), Peace and Security Council communiqués, budget documents and the G20's 2023 New Delhi declaration admitting it.
What to watch
Whether it can enforce its anti-coup rule as suspended states form their own blocs, and whether it can ever fund itself without donors.
Inside this (7)
Connections (3)
▸African Union (AU) became a permanent member of G20 (Group of Twenty)Fact
The relationship
With India's backing, the G20 admitted the 55-member African Union as a permanent member, putting it on the same footing as the EU. The aim was to give Africa, whose only other seat is South Africa's, a stronger voice on debt, climate finance and trade rules.
Since when and why
New Delhi summit, September 9, 2023, announced by Narendra Modi, who invited AU chair Azali Assoumani to take the seat at once.
How we know
The 2023 G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration and AU statements; the AU now attends G20 meetings as a member.
What to watch
Whether the AU can speak with one voice for 55 diverse states, and how the US-hosted 2026 summit treats it, are open questions.
▸African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was launched by African Union (AU)Fact
The relationship
The AfCFTA is a flagship project of the AU's Agenda 2063. AU heads of state adopted it at an extraordinary summit and still steer it, while a separate secretariat in Accra, Ghana, runs day-to-day negotiations and implementation.
Since when and why
Kigali, Rwanda, March 21, 2018; in force May 30, 2019 after 22 ratifications; operational phase launched at the AU's Niamey summit in July 2019.
How we know
The agreement text, AU summit decisions and ratification records held by the AU Commission.
What to watch
Whether the AU can push laggard states to cut tariffs and border delays, and whether breakaway groupings like the Sahel alliance stay in.
▸African Union (AU) suspended the juntas of Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel StatesFact
The relationship
Under its rule against unconstitutional changes of government, the AU suspended Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after their coups. The juntas responded by forming their own alliance and leaving ECOWAS, and suspension has not produced quick returns to civilian rule.
Since when and why
AU Peace and Security Council decisions in Addis Ababa: Mali in June 2021, Burkina Faso in January 2022, Niger in August 2023.
How we know
Peace and Security Council communiqués published by the AU.
What to watch
Whether the AU should engage the juntas more; some members argue isolation pushed them toward Russia.