THE AFRICAN UNION AND THE CHALLENGE OF BEING A STRONG, UNITED, RESILIENT AND INFLUENTIAL GLOBAL PLAYER AND PARTNER (AGENDA 2063, ASPIRATION SEVEN).

ABSTRACT

The African Union, since its formation, from the days of the Organization of African Unity to its current form, has taken several steps to ensure total continental unity. The AU, has initiated commendable programs such as the Lagos Plan of Action, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights drafted in 1981; Priority Programme for Economic Recovery (APPER) in 1985, The Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (EAC), known as the Abuja Treaty, in 1991; The Sirte Declaration of 1999; The 2000 Solemn Declaration on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation of the African continent; the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in 2000 and the latest being the adoption of Agenda, 2063. This study therefore aims at examining the relevance, challenges and the prospects of Aspiration Seven of Agenda 2063 of the AU. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology that relies on both secondary and primary data, using interviews as instrument of data collection, where the views of both practitioners and professionals, such as diplomats, former presidents and former AU Chairpersons and others have been presented and analyzed. The study found out that, Aspiration Seven of Agenda 2063, is very relevant especially to the socio-economic development of the African continent, as it has the potential of making Africa a united and an influential global player. However, despite the relevance of Aspiration Seven, the study found out that the challenges facing the African Union in its bid to realize the Aspiration Seven of the Agenda 2063, are multifaceted and can be seen in the aspects of economic, political, socio-cultural and external factors. The study however revealed that the prospects of the Aspiration Seven are very bright, if the African Union would demonstrate the required commitment and zeal towards the realization of the Agenda 2063. The study concludes by indicating the possibility and the difficulty in achieving Aspiration Seven of the Agenda 2063 by the African Union. The study therefore gives various recommendations to the effect that, the African Union should put together a very strong economic team, who understand the African economic dynamics to offer valuable solutions to the African economic problem. The study recommends. among other things, that the African Union should put in place a very deterring sanction scheme that can help whip uncommitted member states into line for the realization of this important aspiration.