Paper short abstract:

This paper outlines these challenges in four broad categories, namely, peace and security, governance, economic and social issues. It raises the following questions: how well has African leaders taken bold initiatives towards the promotion of peace and security?

Paper long abstract:

The formation of regional blocs and groupings has increasingly become a prominent feature of world politics most especially since the end of the World War II in 1945. This is as a result of the fact that regional integration has proven to become a framework for development worldwide. Along the line of promoting mutual cooperation and integration in Africa, the OAU was established in 1963 which later metamorphosed to AU in 2002. AU faces several challenges in its endeavors to implement her integration and development agenda. This paper outlines these challenges in four broad categories, namely, peace and security, governance, economic and social issues. It raises the following questions: how well has African leaders taken bold initiatives towards the promotion of peace and security? To what extent has the NEPAD and the APRM promoted integration and development in Africa? The paper then discusses the important roles that the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States should play in addressing the challenges. It concludes by positing that Africa's sustainable integration and development will not be achieved unless these challenges are addressed.

Keywords: Organization of African Unity, Africa Union, Regional Integration, NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities