Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 18 May 2016 / No comments
The functions and powers of the Commission of the African Union
Introduction
The Executive Commission is one of the principal organs of
the African Union (AU). It is the secretariat of the Union.
Composition
The commission is made up of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and Eight commissioners. The members of the Commission are to be assisted by
the necessary staff for the smooth running of the Commission. The Commission’s
Chairman, Deputy/Deputies and Commissioners are all appointed by the Assembly
of the Union.
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION
Implementation of decisions
One of the functions of the Commission is to implement the
decisions of the Union.
Co-ordination
Another function of the Commission is its responsibility for
the coordination of AU activities and meetings.
Application for Membership
The Commission receives applications for membership of the
AU. The Chairman of the Commission, who receives an application for membership,
transmits copies to all Member States. If a simple majority of the 53 member
states of the Union approve of the application, the Chairman of the Commission
informs the state concerned.
Projects and Programmes
It is also the function of the Commission to prepare projects
and programmes of the Union.
Mobilization of Funds
Another function of the Commission is that it mobilizes financial
resources for the Union.
Annual Report
It is the function of the Commission to prepare an annual
report on the activities of the Union and to submit this report to the Assembly
of Heads of state and Governments, the Executive Council and the Pan-African
Parliament.
Archival functions
The Commission is responsible for keeping custody of all the
important documents of the AU - documents such as the Constitutive Act of the
Union, the many protocols of the Union, relevant documents inherited from the
O.A.U, AU treaties, all other legal documents of the AU, etc.
Assistance to the Member States
The Commission may assist the Member States of the Union to
implement programmes that are endorsed by the Union e.g. The Union’s
socio-economic development programmes such as the NEPAD.
Additional Responsibility
The Commission may carry out any additional responsibilities
delegated to it by the Assembly or the Executive Council.
Keeping Documents
The Commission It keeps in custody the documents and files of
the meetings of the various organs of the Union.
Setting up Funds
Through the Chairperson, the Commission may set up fiduciary
funds, reserve funds and special funds with the approval of, and may accept on
behalf of the Union gifts, bequests which are in keeping with the Union’s aims
and purposes.
Collaborations
The Commission is to collaborate with the United Nations, its
agencies, or other relevant international organizations, NGOs, etc to
facilitate the effective functioning of the AU’s Early Warning System.
Consultations
The Commission is to, in consultation with the UN
Secretariat; assist in the coordination of external initiatives in support of
the African Standby Force, capacity building in training, logistics, equipment,
communications and funding.
SAMPLE QUESTION
1. Write an essay of
any of the following
a. The Assembly
b. The Executive
Council
c. The Commission
of the African Union
2. a. Describe the composition of the Commission of the
African Union
b. What five
functions are performed by the Commission?
