Original Research Article

Regional Integration in Africa: The Role of African Union in African Developmental Process

Agaba Halidu (PhD), Andrew Sarfatu Bissala, David Silas^*

Authors are from the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja.

Agaba Halidu (Ph.D.) agaba.halidu@uniabuja.edu.ng

Andrew Sarfatu Bissala
bzarephath@gmail.com

David Silas davidsilas160@gmail.com

*Corresponding Authors E-mail: davidsilas160@gmail.com

Received: 22 November 2021  I  Accepted: 30 February 2022  I  Published: 29 March 2022  I  Article ID: MRJER22006
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

The study examined the activities of the African Union (AU) in the African developmental process using the secondary method of data collection. As a framework of analysis, the study adopted the theory of liberal institutionalism. From the findings of the research, it was discovered that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was transformed to the AU due to greater burden which bedeviled the continent of Africa such as; conflict, poverty, diseases, and unfriendly military regimes. Examining the role of the AU in Africa, findings revealed that the AU has been able to contribute its quota towards African development, through some of its specialized agencies such as; The Peace and Security Council (PSC), The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It was also discovered that the programs under the AU faced serious challenges, especially in the areas of conflicts bedeviling the region, military intervention in state’s internal affairs, foreign powers increasing the rates of internal disorderliness.

Keywords: Africa, Development, Integration, Region, Union.