African Union Handbook

The African Union Handbook is a reference for people working in the AU system

The African Union Handbook App is published by the African Union Commission (AUC) in partnership with the New Zealand Government. It is intended as a ready reference guide for people working in all parts of the AU system (Member States, government officials, Commission and other staff) as well as the AU’s many partners and wider civil society.

The Handbook has at its heart information about the principal organs established by the AU Constitutive Act and subsequent protocols: the Assembly; Executive Council; Permanent Representatives Committee; Specialised Technical Committees; Peace and Security Council; AUC; Pan-African Parliament; Economic, Social and Cultural Council; and judicial, human rights, legal and financial institutions.

It also contains information about the specialised agencies and structures, as well as regional and other arrangements, including the Regional Economic Communities, which are the pillars of the AU and work closely with its institutions. Non-governmental organisations, inter-governmental organisations and political groups are not included, except where they have a formal agreement with the AU.

The Handbook focuses on the AU’s current structures and organs, including those in the process of becoming operational. As many of the AU structures and organs are directly inherited from its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), key details about the original OAU structures and transition to the AU are included where possible.

The Handbook project is managed by the Directorate of Information and Communication at the African Union Commission, and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The publishers are indebted to the AU Member States, Commission staff and others from the many subsidiary and partner institutions who provided considerable assistance to ensure the Handbook is as up to date and comprehensive as possible.

The information in this app is also published as a printed reference book. A PDF copy of the book is available on the AU website www.au.int and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website www.mfat.govt.nz.