Key Principles of the African Union The Associated Press Tuesday, July 9, 2002; 2:02 PM The African Union inaugurated Tuesday is envisaged as a strong organization, binding African nations together to help lift the continent from poverty and instability. It aims to develop the continent through good governance and a commitment to human rights. Here are some key details of the new organization. Main Principles: – Working to achieve greater unity among Africa's nations. – Accelerating the political and economic integration of the continent. – Promoting peace, security and stability. – Promoting democratic principles and good governance. – Protecting human rights. – Working for sustainable development to raise living standards across Africa. Key Institutions: – A Peace and Security Council, which would be able to intervene to prevent crimes against humanity in African countries. – A Pan African Parliament, which would consist of elected representatives from every member nation that can make recommendations but not laws. – A Court of Justice, which would have jurisdiction over member states. – A Central Bank, which aims to coordinate a single African economic policy. – An Economic, Social, and Cultural Council, which would give civil society a voice in the union. © 2002 The Associated Press _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~