African Union
The African Union (AU) is a union of all 55 African states. Established on 9 July 2002, the
AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The most
important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-
annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. The AU’s
secretariat (the African Union Commission) is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The COADA’s Charter is enacted to:

Promote critical Research on African History,

 Promote the establishment of African Credit and Investment Banks

 Promote Science, Art and Technology
 Promote dialogue between all segments of the African people on issues concerning
the continent and its future
 Forge partnerships between governments and all segments of civil society
(especially women, youth, children of the diaspora, organized labor, the private
sector and professional groups)
 Promote the participation of Africa’s (and the diaspora’s) civil society in the
implementation of the policies and programmes of the AU and the COADA
 Support policies and programmes promoting peace, security and stability, and foster
continental development and integration with the African diaspora
 Promote and defend a culture of good governance, democratic principles and
institutions, popular participation, human rights and social justice
 Promote, advocate and defend a culture of gender equality
 Promote and strengthen the institutional, human and operational capacities of African
civil society
 Create a new economic framework between the people of the African Union and
those of the African diaspora
 Promote Sister City Bilateral Trade Agreements between the African States and African
Diaspora States.