THE OAU/AU AND CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

This research examines the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into African Union: Challenges and prospects. African States are in a process of finding a common denominator through which can reinvent itself They have been actively trying to contend with the changing Socio-political and economic challenges of the global system. Contemporary Africa is facing many challenges including conflict, HIV and AIDS, Health and sanitation, migration, lack of good governance, peace and security, unemployment, sluggish trade, food insecurity, adverse impact of climate change, high maternal and infant mortality rate. Since the end of the world war II, the establishment of regional block and grouping has increasingly become a permanent feature in international politics. This is a result of the ach'iowledgement that regional integration, which these groups seek to achieve, has also become a proven framework for development worldwide. Therefore the Organization of African unity which was form in 1963 was transformed into African union in 2002. This research work attempt to examine the prospect and challenges of the transformation of Organization of African unity into African Union. This discoveiy was done through the testing of hypothesis set for the study, that the change of organization of African Unity into African Union was as a result of OAU inability to contribute to the African developmental challenges, and that the transformations of Organization of African Unity into African Union is only a response to the wind of change blowing around the world. The study recommends that there is urgent need for capable leaders and institutions to transform African union into a world class organization. African Union the member nations should be ready to surrender their right to African Union, equal status among nation state is also one of the basic recommendations of this research work.