Review of Related Literature on Africa’s Regional Integration Mechanisms

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was transformed into a new continental regional body called the African Union (AU). The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the AU. The regional bloc was launched on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa. The AU progressed beyond a political union and is taking some steps to fully operationalize an economic regional integration body on the continent building on the view of the 1991 Abuja Treaty that endorsed the African Economic Community. This research is mainly focused on review some related literature on the extent to which the AU progressing on deepening economic integration on the continent to reconceptualize Africa’s regional integration for Peace and Sustainable Development on the continent, and what could be done to further entrench same for economic prosperity of Africa. Economic prosperity is a result of economic growth and economic growth provides the needed resources for economic development. However, economic growth and economic development cannot obtain in the absence of peace and security. Hence, this Article delves into how Africa might achieve its desire goals for sustainable development by ensuring peace and security on the continent.