A Harmony or a Cacophony? The Music of Integration in the African Union Treaty and the New Partnership for Africa's Development

Abstract

The Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), which replaced the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, aims, inter alia, at accelerating political and socioeconomic integration in Africa. In 2001, African States initiated a framework document, known as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), to eradicate poverty in Africa and place their countries, individually and collectively, on the path of sustainable economic growth. NEPAD is also intended to enable African states participate actively in the world economy and body politic. The Article interrogates these new initiatives, against the background of previous failed initiatives at economic integration and sustainable development in Africa. The Article also reviews the international legal principles on economic integration. It suggests concrete actions that African states should take to bring harmony to the current music of integration, including empowring the existing regional economic communities. It concludes that treaties and other economic blueprints, in themselves, will not bring about economic integration and sustainable development in the Continent.