The OAU/AU at 50: Democratic Governance as a Precondition for a Sustainable African Future

The document evaluates the transition from the OAU to the AU, noting that while the AU has improved peace and security through supranational norms, it struggles to implement democratic governance reforms. It highlights a disconnect between Africa's recent economic growth and the persistence of poverty and unaccountable leadership. The authors argue that the AU must operationalise the African Governance Architecture and strengthen the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to ensure that economic gains are sustainable and that the vision of 'Agenda 2063' is realised.

• The African Union (AU) has demonstrated greater success in enhancing continental security compared to the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), which suffered from a strict adherence to non-interference and sovereignty norms that left it unable to address the root causes of poverty and conflict.
• Despite positive economic trends, including projected sub-Saharan growth above 5% for 2013–2014 and record foreign direct investment of $54 billion by 2015, poverty and inequality persist due to natural resource-driven growth and a lack of policy coordination between national governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the AU.
• The AU faces significant operational constraints, including a chronic lack of staffing—with fewer than 1,000 employees supporting 10 commissioners—and a heavy reliance on international partners, who fund 90% of its programmes and peace operations.
• The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has struggled to achieve visible impact; while 17 of its 33 member states have completed first reviews, the resulting National Programmes of Action (NPoAs) are frequently not implemented, and the process remains largely unknown to the general public.
• Democratic progress in Africa is threatened by leaders who amend constitutions to extend their time in power beyond legal limits, which the authors suggest could undermine the AU's democratic agenda.
• To achieve the goals of 'Agenda 2063', the AU must prioritise the operationalisation of the African Governance Architecture, strengthen the institutional infrastructure of RECs, and secure a commitment from member states to cede more sovereignty to continental institutions.

APA

Hengari, T. A., & Turianskyi, Y. (2014). The OAU/AU at 50: Democratic Governance as a Precondition for a Sustainable African Future. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Policy-Briefing-82.pdf

Chicago

Hengari, Tjiurimo Alfredo, and Yarik Turianskyi. The OAU/AU at 50: Democratic Governance as a Precondition for a Sustainable African Future. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Policy-Briefing-82.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hengari |first1=Tjiurimo Alfredo |last2=Turianskyi |first2=Yarik |title=The OAU/AU at 50: Democratic Governance as a Precondition for a Sustainable African Future |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=January 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Policy-Briefing-82.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hengari2014oauau, author = {Hengari, Tjiurimo Alfredo and Turianskyi, Yarik}, title = {{The OAU/AU at 50: Democratic Governance as a Precondition for a Sustainable African Future}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Policy-Briefing-82.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }