The African Union and the challenges of Regional Integration in Africa

Abstract

International integration- a process of shifting upward of sovereignty from state to supranational institutions, is a reality of modern day globalized world. Thus, states across the globe are increasingly getting involved in different forms and levels of integration platforms. Africa is not an exception, as African leaders formed the African Union in 1992 (an off-shoot of the organization of African Unity OAU). Today, twenty years after, the debate is on whether the move has really helped Africa and Africans. The challenge of this paper therefore is an evaluation of the African Union in respect of its stated objectives. In doing this, the neofunctional theory was employed as an explanatory tool. The findings of the study indicate that the biggest challenge facing African integration today is the issue of leadership. Thus while there are many extraneous obstacles and challenges to African integration, the major challenge remains internal and therefore any serious efforts at integration must first of all address the leadership question. Keywords: African Union, Integration, Leadership, Development