The birth of African Union in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa was simply due to the political unity amongst the African nation’s leaders. The decision to re-launch Africa’s Pan-African organisation was the outcome of a consensus by African leaders in order to realize Africa’s potential. The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.

The need to refocus attention for the fight for decolonization and ridding the continent from apartheid, which had been the focus of the OAU, towards increasing cooperation and integration of African states to drive Africa’s growth and economic development was due to the political unity in action.

Political unity in Africa officially came into existence in May 1963 when 32 Heads of independent African States met in Addis Ababa Ethiopia to sign the Charter creating Africa’s first post-independence continental institution, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU was the manifestation of the Pan-African vision for an Africa that was united, free and in control of its own destiny and this was solemnized in the OAU Charter in which the founding fathers recognized that freedom, equality, justice and dignity were essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African peoples.

Also, there was a need to promote understanding among Africa’s peoples and foster cooperation among African states in response to the aspirations of Africans for brother-hood and solidarity, in a larger unity transcending ethnic and national differences.

The guiding philosophy was that of Pan-Africanism which centered on African socialism and promoted African unity, the communal characteristic and practices of African communities, and a drive to embrace Africa’s culture and common heritage

To ensure the realization of its objectives and the attainment of the Pan-African Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, Agenda 2063 was developed as a strategic framework for Africa’s long term socio-economic and integrative transformation. Agenda 2063 calls for greater collaboration and support for African led initiatives to ensure the achievement of the aspirations of African people.

In addition, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was established in March 2018, in Kigali. There was an adoption, in January 2018, of the Protocol on Free Movement of persons, the right of residence and the right of establishment and the introduction of a Pan-African Passport in February 2019 have been an important step towards greater integration.

Furthermore, the launching in January 2018 of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative known as “Africa’s Open Skies”, establishes a single unified market through the liberalization of the airspace in Africa. This is a decisive source of impetus for the political and economic integration programme of the Continent. Without political unity amongst the African leaders, achieving this greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their people won’t have been possible.

Pan-African Unity Summit Group (PANAUSUG) shall deploy all her tools to complement African Union to accelerate the political, socio-economic integration, peace, security, and stability on the continent.