Brings together the analysis and research of 17 largely Pan-African scholars, policy-makers, practitio-ners and civil society representatives. They present a positive but realistic picture of the African Union, while diagnosing several key challenges. The AU has established an impressive array of institutions to deal with Africa’s security and governance problems this book contains robust scholarship that allows reflection on what needs to be done to fulfil the noble objectives that the AU has set for itself. Index, 390pp, SOUTH AFRICA. FANELE.

The book examines the limitations of the OAU and discusses whether the African Union can adopt a more interventionist stance in dealing with peace-building and development in Africa. The volume assesses the African Union's peace and security institutions and analyses how it is beginning to collaborate with civil society. It takes a critical look at the Union's New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and argues that Africa needs to adopt a developmental and governance agenda that will be much more responsive towards improving the well-being and livelihood of its peoples. 182pp, UK. ASHGATE PUBLISHERS.

Argues that Africa and, in particular, the AU can effectively address the challenges of building and sustaining governance institutions and security mechanisms only if they have strategic leadership. Core topics covered include: the colonial policies of the European powers; the emergence of Pan-Africanism; the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963; the evolution of the OAU into the AU in 2002; and the AU's capacity to address poverty alleviation, conflict management and resolution, peace-building and humanitarian intervention. Index, bib, notes, apps, 209pp, UK. ROUTLEDGE.

Introduction to this important global governing body. Based in Addis Abba, Ethiopia, the Africa Union, established in July 2002, is the successor to the Organization of African Unity, created in 1963. The AU aims include promoting democracy, human rights, and sustainable economic development across Africa, especially by increasing foreign investment through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). With an elaborate organizational structure roughly modelled on the European Union, the African Union is comprised of a Pan-African Parliament, a Commission, a Court of Justice (human rights abuses), and an Executive Council served by a Permanent Representatives Committee, and additional councils and specialized bodies. Index, bib, col photos, 124pp, USA. CHELSEA HOUSE.

A preliminary assessment of the New Africa Initiative within the context of the transformation of the OAU into the AU. Includes the full texts of the NAI and the Con-stitutive Act of the AU. A4 format, 36pp, SWEDEN. NORDIC AFRICA INSTITUTE, 9171064869

Using five case studies in each region, the author offers a comparative assessment of the conflict management efforts of regional intergovernmental organisations such as IGOs, OAU, and OAS in various conflict zones in Africa and worldwide. Index, apps, xix, 192pp, NIGERIA. SPECTRUM BOOKS LTD, 9780293744

This study considers the extent to which the organisation has changed in more ways than name. It shows how the objectives of the AU are distinctive, and reflect the material conditions of Africa in the 21st century. It argues that the aspirations of the AU are for it to become a large market of free democratic States, with the rule of law, and a strong private sector. It advocates greater participation of women in decision-making, popularisation of the Union, and greater financial transparency, financial and otherwise, of the Commission. 294pp, TANZANIA. TANZANIA PUBLISHING HOUSE.

The institution of the African Union (AU) is intended to play a key role in bringing together African parliamentarians to discuss common issues and take political decisions beyond the responsibility of heads of state alone. In the light of these changes, the Africa Institute of South Africa has undertaken a study of selected countries' parliaments and their functions in order to extrapolate learning experiences for the planned Pan-African Parliament. The study further considers the parliaments of some of the sub-regional organisations to ascertain their effectiveness at national and sub-regional levels, and examines the implications of the Pan-African Parliament of the AU. BNS, 107pp, SOUTH AFRICA. AFRICA INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA.