In the AU, African Union, there are various working bodies that allow it to function effectively. Here are some details about the main AU groups:
Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
This will become the highest legislative AU body. The PAP is based in South Africa and comprises of 265 elected representatives from the 53 AU member states. This is intended to provide popular and civil-society participation in the processes of democratic governance.
Assembly of the African Union
Currently the highest governing body of the AU, it is made up of heads of state and government of AU member states. Meetings are held once a year and decisions are made by consensus or by a two-thirds majority.
African Union Authority
This is the secretariat of the AU, made up of ten commissioners with supporting staff It functions in a similar way to the European Commission, and co-ordinates all the AU events and meetings.
African Court of Justice
Any disputes that arise regarding the interpretation of AU treaties are handled by the African Court of Justice.
Executive Council
This council is comprised of member state ministers designated by their governments. The council prepares items for the Assembly to discuss and decides on various smatters including agriculture, foreign trade, communications, social security, and food.
Permanent Representatives’ Committee
Representatives of each member state are nominated to be on this committee whose job it is to oversee the work prepared for the Executive Council.
Peace and Security Council (PSC)
The PSC was established in 2004 under a protocol adopted in 2002 which describes them as an early warning and collective security effort aimed at facilitating effective and efficient response to conflict and crisis situations in Africa. They are also there to manage, prevent and resolve conflicts, ensure post conflict peace building, and develop various defence policies. They are a similar entity to the United Nations Security Council.
Economic, Social and Cultural Council
Civic and professional representatives make up this advisory council, which is similar to the European Economic and Social Committee.
Specialised Technical Committees
As per the Constitutive Act of the AU and the Abuja Treaty, a Specialised Technical Committee is provided for, and under various themes advises the Assembly. However, these have never been formally established. The proposed themes are: Monetary and Financial Affairs; Rural Economy and Agricultural Matters; Trade, Customs, and Immigration; Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Industry, Science and Technology; Transport, Communications, and Tourism; Labour, and Social Affairs; Health; and Education, Culture, and Human Resources.
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Set up under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 1986, this commission strives for protection of human rights under the African Charter and ensures compliance of African nations. To complement the efforts of the commission, an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights was set up in 2006. Now, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is planning to merge with the African Court of Justice.
African Energy Commission
Established in 2008, the African Energy Commission works to ensure, organise and harmonise the development, preservation and protection, as well as the exploitation, integration and marketing of all of Africa’s energy resources.
