Produced by the State of the Union Project, this 2010 report is one of ten country studies that assess the performance of Member States against key governance, economic, social, civil and political policy standards, and rights instruments. Although, a historical approach has been used, the period under review is 2007-2009. 

 

The State of the Union project tracks and engages governments and the African Union (AU) on their commitments by managing in-country research, community hearings and national consultations. The projects's activities are intended to inform the implementation of Article 4.1(b) of the Rules of Procedures of the Assembly of Heads of States. Under this Article, the Assembly is required ‘to monitor the implementation of policies and decisions of the Union as well as ensure compliance by all Member States’. This Article was re-affirmed by 53 African Heads of States in the June 2009 African Union Summit held in Sirte, Libya. At this Summit, the leaders called on the Pan African Parliament among other AU Organs to support the Assembly in this regard. This civil society project was started three months later.

This study is intended to help Africa to closely monitor the progress it has made since the birth of the AU. It will assist AU organs such as the AHSG, AC, ECOSOCC, and PAP to reflect on their performance. It should help assess the extent to which AU Member States responded to the AHSG call and complied with AU instruments, policies and standards.

 

This Report results from a desk top research based on existing literature, official and unofficial reports from relevant state organs, agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOS) and interviews. Unfortunately, those interviewed declined to be named. The report benefited tremendously from facts, findings, and recommendations in the APRM, CRR on South Africa.