Article: Backgrounder: African Union replaces OAU

Backgrounder: African Union replaces OAU

DURBAN, South Africa (Xinhua) -- Leaders from across Africa gathered here on Monday through Wednesday to transfer the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union, bidding a formal farewell to the 39-year regional bloc formed to usher the continent out of the colonial era.

The following is a brief review of the process of African Union formation and OAU history:

On May 22-26, 1963, leaders from Africa's 31 independent nations held a meeting in Addis Abeba, capital of Ethiopia, and decided to establish the OAU and passed the constitution of the organization. Its headquarters was based in Addis Abeba.

During the next four ...

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