The African Union is the successor organization to the Organization of African Unity. Founded in July 2002, its first chairman was South African president Thabo Mbeki. Modeled after the European Union, its goals are to help promote democracy, human rights and development across Africa, especially increasing foreign investment through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) program.
Goals for the African Union include an African parliament and a central development bank. As with its predecessor the OAU, the African Union is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Member countries (listed by their official names):