“The Constitutive Act of the African Union marks a new era in institution-building in post-colonial Africa. It is conceived as an aspect of Africa’s response to the challenges of globalisation and regional integration. The Constitutive Act, amended in January 2007 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in principle is a catalyst for building a culture of peace and political stability in Africa. This policy brief explores the issues in the Constitutive Act and critically assesses its relevance for the process of democratisation in Africa. It is a significant departure from the authoritarian political order of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and reflects a new thinking in African politics
in the 21st century.”
