Protocol on Amendments to the Constitutive Act of the African Union

“Act” means the Constitutive Act

“Assembly” means the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union

“Chairperson” means chairperson of the Assembly

“Court” means the Court of Justice of the Union and Court of Justice has the same meaning

“Union” means the African Union

ensure the effective participation of women in decision-making, particularly in the political, economic and socio-cultural areas;

develop and promote common policies on trade, defence and foreign relations to ensure the defence of the Continent and the strengthening of its negotiating positions;

invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our Continent, in the building of the African Union.

the right of the Union to intervene in a Member State pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity as well as a serious threat to legitimate order to restore peace and stability to the Member State of the Union upon the recommendation of the Peace and Security Council;

restraint by any Member State from entering into any treaty or alliance that is incompatible with the principles and objectives of the Union;

prohibition of any Member State from allowing the use of its territory as a base for subversion against another Member State.

The Peace and Security Council

The Assembly shall meet at least once a year in ordinary session.

At the initiative of the Chairperson after due consultation with all Member States, or at the request of any Member State and upon approval by two-thirds majority of Member States, the Assembly shall meet in Extraordinary Session.

The Assembly shall elect its Chairperson from among the Heads of State or Government at the beginning of each ordinary session and on the basis of rotation for a period of one year renewable.

The Chairperson shall be assisted by a Bureau chosen by the Assembly on the basis of equitable geographical representation.

Where the Assembly meets at the Headquarters, an election of the Chairperson shall be held taking into account the principle of rotation.

The Chairperson shall represent the Union, during his/her tenure with a view to promoting the objectives and principles of the African Union as stipulated in Articles 3 and 4 of the Act. He/She shall also, with the collaboration of the Chairperson of the Commission, carry out the functions of the Assembly set out in Article 9(e) and (g) of the Act.

The Chairperson may convene the meeting of the other organs through their Chairpersons or Chief Executives and in accordance with their respective Rules of Procedure.

The Chairperson of the Executive Council shall be assisted by a Bureau chosen by the Executive Council on the basis of equitable geographical representation.

There is hereby established, a Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the Union, which shall be the standing decision-making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

The functions, powers, composition and organization of the PSC shall be determined by the Assembly and set out in a protocol relating thereto.

The Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives Committee shall be assisted by a Bureau chosen on the basis of equitable geographical representation.

The official languages of the Union and all its institutions shall be Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili and any other African language.

The Executive Council shall determine the process and practical modalities for the use of official languages as working languages.