Legal Affairs

The AU Commission on International Law (AUCIL):
was created in 2009 as an independent advisory organ in accordance with article 5(2) of the AU Constitutive Act. Article 5(2) provides for the Assembly to establish organs as it deems necessary. Undertake activities relating to codification and progressive development of international law in Africa with particular attention to the laws of the AU

AU advisory board on corruption:
The Advisory Board on Corruption was established as part of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which entered into force in August 2006. Under article 22(5) of the Convention, the Board is mandated to promote and encourage States Parties to adopt measures and actions to meet the Convention objectives and to follow up the application of those measures.

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ rights :
was established in 1987 to oversee and interpret the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (also known as the Banjul Charter).

African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights:
has jurisdiction over all cases and disputes submitted to it concerning the interpretation and application of the: African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Protocol that established the Court; and any other relevant human rights instrument ratified by the State Party concerned.

African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child:
draws its mandate from articles 32–46 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

The OLC provides a unified central legal service for the AU including all its organs and institutions. The OLC ensures that decision-making processes are compliant with AU legal frameworks, provides advice on the interpretation of AU legal instruments and supports the Executive Council and Assembly in preparation for elections.

The OLC also provides legal advice on cooperation with international or internationalised judicial accountability mechanisms, and legal services for special political missions, peacekeeping operations and other field missions on matters such as diplomatic privileges and immunities, and the legal status of the organisation. The AU Commission on International Law Secretariat is located at the OLC.