Share: The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
When did OAU become AU?
25 May 1963 – On 26 May 2001, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was legally transformed into the African Union (AU).
Why did OAU change its name to AU?
Whereas the OAU was in principle a political organisation that also discussed matters of economic and social concern, the African Union should be an organisation aimed at economic integration and social development, which should lead to political unity.
What does OAU AU stand for?
The AU replaced the former OAU in May 2001 after the Constitutive Act2 came into force and was launched in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa. The main difference between the OAU and the AU is that while the OAU was seen as a union of leaders of Africa, the AU is conceived as a union of Africa’s peoples.