This is the fourth edition of the Yearbook on the African Union (YBAU). The YBAU is first and foremost an academic project that provides an in-depth evaluation and analysis of the institution, its processes, and its engagements. Despite the increased agency in recent years of the African Union in general, and the AU Commission in particular, little is known – outside expert policy or niche academic circles – about the Union’s activities. This is the gap the Yearbook on the African Union wants to systematically address. It seeks to be a reference point for in-depth research, evidence-based policy-making and decision-making.
Contributors are Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Kwesi Aning, Juliana Abena Appiah, Habibu Yaya Bappah, Bruce Byiers, Annie Barbara Hazviyemurwi Chikwanha, Dawit Yohannes Wondemagegnehu, Debela Fituma, Cheryl Hendricks, Jens Herpolsheimer, Benedikt Kamski, Tony Karbo, Hubert Kinkoh, Klara Leithäuser, Edefe Ojomo, Francis Onditi, Naila Salihu, Rahel W. Sebhatu, Moussa Soumahoro, Elsie Tachie-Menson, Tim Zajontz.
Ulf Engel is Professor of Politics in Africa at Leipzig University. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University and the Department of Political Science at Stellenbosch University, respectively.
Foreword
Acknowledgements
List of Figure and Tables
Abbreviations
Notes on Contributors
1 Introduction
Ulf Engel
PART 1: The Year-in-Review
2 The World as Seen from Addis: the African Union’s View of Global Dynamics
Kwesi Aning and Elsie A. Tachie-Menson
3 The Annual Interview: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area
H.E. Albert M. Muchanga
4 The State of the Union
Ulf Engel
5 Comoros’ Chairmanship of the African Union
Benedikt Kamski
PART 2: African Union Policy Fields
6 Climate Change
Ulf Engel
7 Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation
Ulf Engel
8 Governance
Annie Barbara Hazviyemurwi Chikwanha
9 Health
Edefe Ojomo and Habibu Yaya Bappah
10 Infrastructure and Energy
Tim Zajontz and Klara Leithaeuser
11 Peace and Security
Dawit Yohannes Wondemagegnehu, Debela Fituma, Hubert Kinkoh, and Moussa Soumahoro
12 Regional Integration and Trade
Bruce Byiers
13 Strategic Partnerships
Ulf Engel
PART 3: Book Reviews
New Publications on Continental Matters
Book review editor: Jens Herpolsheimer
Appendix 1: Chronicle of Key AU Events, 2023
Appendix 2: Inventory of AU Decisions, 2023
Appendix 3: Key AU Office Holders, 2023
Index
The book appeals to post-graduate students, scholars and researchers in policy-oriented research circles, so-called practitioners and experts, journalists as well as international organisations’ and non-governmental organisations’ staff, diplomats and policymakers.