African Union (AU) members have agreed a plan to give its executive arm enhanced powers to co-ordinate common-interest policies, officials say. But the African Authority will not be able to act internationally unless it has a mandate from heads of state.
The compromise on the draft came after hours of heated debate in a closed session in the Libyan town of
It had been resisted by
The new African Authority aims to simplify the AU’ s structure, allowing more control over diplomatic, trade and defense matters.
It will "represent the common interests of the member states of the
The structure will create a president, a vice-president, and a secretary of peace and security and common defense. Other secretaries will replace the current union’s commissioners.
The powers of the Authority focus on co-ordination rather than unilateral implementation.
While it will co-ordinate key policies, it will only be able to act with the consent of members, rather than exercising power over them.
"The states are ready to cede a little bit a part of their sovereignty for the benefit of the [
Source: AHU – David A-O