Role of African Union African Union

euler diagram showing relationships between various multinational african entities v • d • e

one of key debates in relation achievement of greater continental integration relative priority should given integration of continent unit in or integration of sub-regions. 1980 lagos plan of action development of africa , 1991 treaty establish african economic community (also referred abuja treaty), proposed creation of regional economic communities (recs) basis african integration, timetable regional , continental integration follow.

currently, there 8 recs recognised au, each established under separate regional treaty. are:

the arab maghreb union (amu)
the common market eastern , southern africa (comesa)
the community of sahel-saharan states (cen-sad)
the east african community (eac)
the economic community of central african states (eccas)
the economic community of west african states (ecowas)
the intergovernmental authority on development (igad)
the southern africa development community (sadc)

the membership of many of communities overlaps, , rationalisation has been under discussion several years – , formed theme of 2006 banjul summit. @ july 2007 accra summit assembly decided adopt protocol on relations between african union , regional economic communities. protocol intended facilitate harmonisation of policies , ensure compliance abuja treaty , lagos plan of action time frames.