Historical Organization
Organization of African Unity
Organization of African Unity
Also known as: OAU
Details
Organization Timeline
The Organization of African Unity is founded
📅 25 May 1963Independent African states formed the OAU with liberation from colonialism and white minority rule among its central commitments. It supported movements across southern Africa.
Organization of African Unity charter is signed
📅 25 May 1963African states signed the OAU Charter in Addis Ababa, giving institutional form to continental solidarity, decolonization and cooperation.
Abuja Treaty establishes an African Economic Community
📅 3 June 1991African heads of state adopted a treaty to deepen regional integration and build an African Economic Community in stages.
Abuja Treaty enters into force
📅 12 May 1994The treaty’s legal commencement advanced the framework for African economic integration envisaged in 1991.
Sirte Declaration calls for an African Union
📅 9 September 1999OAU leaders proposed the African Union to accelerate continental integration and strengthen Africa’s role in the world economy.
African Union Constitutive Act is adopted
📅 11 July 2000African leaders adopted the AU’s founding act, setting out goals of unity, integration, peace and sustainable development.
African Union is launched in Durban
📅 9 July 2002The AU succeeded the OAU, opening a new institutional phase of African integration and collective diplomacy.