The Organization of African Unity, African Union - Research Paper Example

? The Organization of African Unity now known as African Union       The scenario of social work is solely based upon guiding people towards development of their potentials and to prevent malfunctioning of the same. When social work is superimposed to a broader context (say, larger organizations) its scope responsibilities become wider than ever.  The African Union is one among these organizations which extends its aid to the socio- political, economic and cultural life in Africa. To be specific, most of the African nations face internal and external threats (say, clan wars, wide spread of terrorism, internal insurgencies etc). So, the role of African Union within African context is important because it promotes positive change in the society by empowering the people and solving problems. Thesis statement: The organizational set up, responsibilities and social services provided by the African Union proves to be successful within the scenario of social work in Africa (special references to the social services provided by African Union in Africa and its involvement in current issues). African Union: Organizational set up       First of all, almost all the African nations have membership in African Union (AU). For instance, excluding Morocco, present strength of African Union is 53. African Union, a social work organization for creating unity among the African nations was established in the year 2002. Besides, Organisation of Africa Unity (AOU) was the mother organization of AU. Okoth (2006) opines that “Some of the guiding principles of the AU are similar to those of its predecessor, the OAU” (p. 325). The organizational set up of AU is based on centralization and concentration of power which is fully vested in the center but with equal power to the member states. For instance, the decision making force of AU is the Assembly of the African Union. Badejo (2008) states that “The AU carries out its business through many organs, agencies, and non-governmental organizations” (p. 39). The secretariat (say, African Union Commission) of AU is in Addis Ababa, which is situated in Ethiopia.           The AU is divided into two bodies: political and administrative.   As pointed out, the decision making process is principally vested upon the Assembly, which consists of members/representatives from member states. The present chairman is Bingu wa Mutharika, who represents Malawi. Besides, the representative body of AU, namely Pan African Parliament includes 265 members. Idriss Ndele Moussa is the present president of Pan African Parliament.       The Executive Council’s duty within AU includes the preparation of decisions to be taken by the Assembly. Besides, the Executive Council is an important political institution within the AU. The Permanent Representatives Committee, another political institution includes the ambassadors of member states within AU. The Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), a consultative body, is under AU. Moreover, the AU Commission, the secretariat or political head is presently chaired by Jean Ping.       The African Union Commission is the most important administrative wing within AU. The other administrative bodies of AU include African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (to resolve human rights issues among the member states), and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) (aiming to accelerate development of the member states). The Pan-African Parliament is another important governing body which accelerates the smooth functioning of AU as an influential organization. So, one can easily identify that the AU follows the centralized mode of power division. But this centralization of power does not limit the power of the member states because decision making power is solely vested upon the Assembly, which consists of member states. In short, the centralization of power within a single authority and the decision making power vested upon the assembly proves that the same is the best possible way that can be adopted by any social service organization. The responsibilities of African Union Why the name OAU was changed to AU? One can easily identify the fact that OAU’s initial aim was closely related to the co-operation among the member nations. Davis (2007) makes clear that “If member states fail to meet their responsibilities, then it complicates matters for the African Union” (p. 124). As pointed out earlier, co-operation within AU is most important because internal insurgencies curb the development of member states. So, the transformation of OAU to AU is interconnected with the problems faced by the member states. Francis (2006) states that “The OAU has been criticised for its inability to manage and resolve African conflicts in the past 39 years” (p.124). Besides, as an organization, the OAU was not strong enough to face the challenges put forth by globalization. Some of the most important responsibilities of AU are pointed out below. Promoting cohesive feeling: The primary responsibility is interconnected with the initial aim of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), AU’s mother organization. To be specific, the primary responsibility of AU is to promote peace, cohesiveness and co-operation among the member nations. As a platform for the member nations: As pointed out, the primary responsibility of AU as a social work organization was to act the role of a platform for the member states to resolve internal issues. Besides, most of the African nations face a number of problems like clan wars, wide spread of terrorism and poverty. Within this context, the responsibility of AU as a social work organization is crucial. The AU intervention in Burundi, Sudan, Somalia and Libya can be considered as AU’s role as a platform for the member nations to resolve internal issues. Economic responsibility: The acceleration of African economy through implementing innovative measures is an important responsibility of AU. One can easily identify that economic independence leads to development. So, the responsibility of AU within the economic sector of Africa is crucial.  Political responsibility:  Most of the African nations gained independence, but some of these nations do not enjoy political freedom (maybe, because of dictatorship). Within this scenario, the responsibility of AU to promote political freedom among the member nations is important. Another responsibility of AU is to act the role of a platform which connects the African nations with the world. In addition, the responsibility undertaken by the AU to minimize the negative effects of globalization is crucial for the development of Africa. Another responsibility of AU as a social work organization is to minimize the clash between governments and the civil society. One can easily identify that the women folk and the youngsters in Africa faces a number of problems in their private and public domains. So, the responsibility of AU in strengthening the relationship between the governments and the civil society (including women and youngsters) is important. Peace-keeping: The role of AU in peacekeeping and negotiation among the member states is vital. Other responsibilities of AU include the protection of human rights, spreading democracy and rule of law. During an internal insurgency, the civilians face a number of problems. For instance, children, women and senior citizens are cruelly treated during internal insurgencies. Within this context, AU plays an important role in peacekeeping and negotiation processes among the member nations.       In short, the AU’s responsibility as social work organization, which can accelerate the growth and development of democracy against dictatorship, is crucial for the present and future development of Africa. Social services provided by the African Union       As a social work organization, the AU plays the most important role in providing help to the member nations within its organizational set up.    A. The African Mission In Burundi (AMIB): The AMIB is the first political mission undertaken by the AU. Besada (2010) makes clear that “Most observers view AMIB as a qualified success that heralds the launch of a new era of peacekeeping in Africa” (p.109). The political history of Burundi proves that the introduction of democracy was an innovative step towards political freedom. In the year 1993, Melchion Ndadaye, the president of Burundi, was brutally assassinated by the Army. This resulted in civil war or the clash between Hutu rebels and the Burundian Army. But, the main rebel groups, which operate from Burundi, were not ready to give up their fight and refused to sign any ceasefire agreement. This resulted in a high loss of civilian lives. The deployment of AMIB as a political mission under the direct control of AU was able to resolve the political instability in Burundi. B. The African Mission In Sudan (AMIS): The AMIS (2004) was primarily a peacekeeping force under AU to resolve the Darfur conflict in Sudan. Besides, the mission was supported by the United Nations Security Council. The AMIS is the one and only external force other than UN, aiming to resolve conflict in Sudan. Murithi (2005) states that “The African Union led the call for the government of Sudan to meet its responsibility of protecting al l the people of the region” (p.53). But the effort undertaken by the AMIS proved to be less successful. The Sudanese government was not so co-operative to the AMIS. So, the AU was forced to replace its mission and the United Nations Mission in Sudan UNMIS was established in 2007. But this does not prove that AMIS was not successful. The non-cooperative attitude from the side of the Sudanese government paved the way for the failure of AMIS in Sudan. C. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM): The formation of AMISOM in the year 2007 to provide humanitarian aid to the people in Somalia is noteworthy because it can be considered as one of the best examples of success in the field of social work undertaken by an organization. Akpinarli (2009) states that “This operation, called the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), was extended twice until 20 August 2008” (p.49). Besides, this mission can be considered as one of the most important social work mission under the AU. The support from the side of AU Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council helped the mission to be successful within Somalia. In addition, the security of Somalia is important for the security of the African continent as a whole. In short, the effort undertaken by the AMISOM is remarkable because its aim was aimed to establish an innovative security plan in Somalia and to provide training facilities to the Somali forces.   D. The involvement of AU in Libyan civil war The present involvement of AU in Libyan civil war, which is against Muammar al-Gaddafi, is important because the war is to be considered as a civil protest against dictatorship. Besides, the AU is totally against the involvement of foreign power in Libya. As the AU considers the Libyan civil war as an internal affair, the scope of AU within Libyan territory is crucial to resolve the problem. As pointed out earlier, one of the aims of AU is to spread democracy in Africa. The AU’s involvement in Libya is to be considered as an effort to minimize the negative effects of civil war, which is a normal phenomenon in Africa. The AU’s involvement includes the contact with the governing body in Libya to make sure the safety of civilian population. In addition, the effort undertaken by the AU by coordinating a number of African nations to negotiate with the Libyan government is significant because negotiation process will help Africa to be free from internal insurgencies. Martinez (2007) opines that “The major turning point in Libya’s African policy was the official renunciation of violence” (p.108). One can easily identify that the role of AU in Libya is as a regional social service organization, not as a foreign organization. Findings The main finds are pointed out below. 1. The organizational set up of AU is unique because it protects the interests of all the member nations. 2. The importance given to the Assembly within AU is considerable because it limits the scope of manipulation from the side of powerful nations. 3. The responsibilities vested upon AU are vital because the African nations face a number of challenges. 4. The establishment of AU as a social service organization is remarkable because only a social service organization within Africa can resolve the issues faced by the member nations. 5. The importance given by AU to socio-political and economic problems within Africa proves to be important. 6. The establishment of AU as a social service organization leads the African nations towards peace and co-operation. 7. The role of AU as a window to the rest of the world leads the African nations towards growth and development. 8. Social services provided by African Union within Africa prove the success of AU as a social services organization with international outlook.       Summing, regional security and peaceful co-existence is most important for the African nations. The establishment of AU is one of the most important steps towards regional cooperation and development in Africa. The organizational set up of African Union, i.e. the centralization of power under a single authority, and the decision making power vested upon the Assembly, proves to be effective. The successful execution of the responsibilities of African Union as a social work organization proves its effectiveness in accelerating the growth and development of democracy in Africa. The social services provided by the African Union, for instance, in Burundi (AMIB), in Sudan (AMIS), in Somalia (AMISOM0, and in Libyan Civil war proves the effectiveness of AU as a social service organization. Besides, the outlook of AU as a social service organization and as a peacekeeping force in Africa is vital for the future growth and development of Africa. The success of missions and efforts undertaken by AU proves its importance within Africa which faces a number of internal and external threats.                                           The implications on social work practice       The most important duty of a social work organization is to extend its help to the needy. The scope of social work, with its unique methods is most important in Africa because most of the African nations face clan wars, wide spread of terrorism and internal insurgencies. These problems faced by the people in Africa leads to poverty, low per capita income, spread of contagious diseases and related issues. Within this context, the social work organizations can form response teams, voluntary groups and can seek help from the Red Cross or other organizations in the field of social service. One can easily identify that social workers can play a crucial role in peacekeeping missions. Within the AU, social workers can provide assistance in planning and implementing the peacekeeping missions. Besides, social workers within AU’s organizational set up can partake in negotiation processes to resolve internal insurgencies in Africa. References Akpinarli, N. (2009). The fragility of the 'failed state' paradigm: a different international law perception of the absence of effective government. USA: BRILL. Badejo, D. (2008). The African Union. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing. Besada, H. (2010). Crafting an African Security Architecture: Addressing Regional Peace and Conflict in the 21st Century. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing. Davis, J. (2007). Africa and the war on terrorism. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing. Francis, D.J. (2006). Uniting Africa: building regional peace and security systems. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing. Murithi, T. (2005). The African Union: Pan-Africanism, peacebuilding and development. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing. Martinez, L. (2007). The Libyan paradox. New York, USA: Columbia University Press. Okoth, A. (2006). A History of Africa: African nationalism and the de-colonisation process. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Publishers. Read More