The health of the 53-member African Union is, in many ways, indicative of the health of the African continent. The AU is sort of the 2.0 incarnation of the Organization of African Unity, which was in its day mainly an organization rooted in anti-apartheid and colonialism. The African Union replaced the OAU in July 2002.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the current AU Chair, yesterday launched the creation of a civil society advisory panel. The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC [PDF]) seeks to be interactive -- directly representing the concerns of Africans -- to speak directly to heads of state through their General Assemblies. Twenty-five of the 53 members of the AU have already agreed to participate in the council. From Ghana's Joy Online:

"The AU Chairman explained that the Union was designed to be a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society in the African continent and added that with the establishment of ECOSOCC there was going to be a people oriented, people centred and people driven community in the African Union.

"He urged the newly elected Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Mr. Akere Muna to develop an interactive work plan with the African Commission to consolidate and expand existing policy space for civil society engagement with the AU."

The inaugural ECOSOCC General Assembly, which ended on September 9, was held in Dar es Salaam. Membership of the council includes grassroots organizers of all kinds, including: NGOs, business owners, trade unionists and human rights activists.

[Image: AFP via Google]