The African Union (AU) was established on July 9, 2002, in Durban, South Africa, as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU was founded in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the aim of promoting unity and solidarity among African countries and supporting the decolonization of African nations.
The OAU played a significant role in the liberation struggles of many African countries and in promoting African unity and cooperation. However, over time, it became clear that the organization needed to be reformed in order to better address the challenges facing the continent, such as conflict, poverty, and underdevelopment.
The decision to establish the AU was made at the Sirte Declaration in 1999, where African leaders agreed to create a new organization that would focus on promoting peace, security, and development on the continent. The AU was officially launched in 2002, with the adoption of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which outlined the organization's objectives, principles, and structures.
Since its establishment, the AU has worked to promote peace and security, democracy and good governance, and economic integration and development in Africa. The organization has also played a key role in mediating conflicts, such as in Sudan, South Sudan, and Libya, and in promoting regional integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Overall, the African Union represents a significant step forward in the quest for African unity and self-determination, and continues to work towards achieving the goals of the continent's founding fathers.