The Commission
The Commission is the Secretariat of the Union entrusted with executive functions.It is composed of 8 Officials: A Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson; Six (6) Commissioners . The structure represents the Union and protects its interest under the auspices of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government as well as the Executive Committee. The AU Commission is made up of Portfolios. They are: Peace and Security; Political Affairs; Trade and Industry; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs; Rural Economy and Agriculture; Human Resources, Science and Technology; and Economic Affairs.
Functions of the Commission
a) Among others, it represents the Union and defends its interests under the guidance of and as mandated by the Assembly and the Executive Council;
b) Initiate proposals to be submitted to the Organs as well as implement the decisions that are taken by the other Organs;
c) Act as a custodian of the Constitutive Act, its protocols, the treaties, legal instruments, decisions adopted by the Union and those inherited from the OAU;
d) Organise and manage the meetings of the organs;
e) Assist Member States in implementing the Union programmes and policies, including, CSSDCA and NEPAD;
f) Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the decisions of other organs of the Union in close collaboration with the PRC and report regularly to the Executive Council;
g) Work out draft common positions of the Union and coordinate the actions of Member States in international negotiations;
h) Prepare the Union’s Programme and Budget for approval by the policy organs as well as strategic plans and studies for the consideration of the Executive Council;
i) Elaborates, promotes, coordinates and harmonizes the programmes and policies of the Union with those of the RECs;
j) Ensures the mainstreaming of gender in all programmes and activities of the Union;
k) Manage the assets and liabilities of the Union according to laid down regulations and procedures;
l) Prepares strategic plans and studies for the consideration of the Executive Council;
m) Take action in the domains of responsibility as may be delegated by the Assembly and the Executive Council. The domains include:
- Control of pandemic;
- Disaster management;
- International crime and terrorism;
- Environmental management;
- Negotiations relating to external trade;
- Negotiations relating to external debts;
- Population, migration, refugee and displaced persons;
- Food security;
- Socio-economic integration; and
- All other areas in which a common position has been established.
n) Mobilize resources and devise appropriate strategies for self-financing, income generating activities and investment for the Union;
o) Promote integration and socio-economic development;
p) Strengthen cooperation and co-ordination of activities between Member States in fields of common interest;
q) Prepares and submit an annual report on the activities of the Union to the Assembly, the Executive Council and the Parliament;
r) Prepare the Staff Rules and Regulations for approval by the Assembly;
s) Implement the decisions of the Assembly regarding the opening and closing down of sections and administrative or technical offices;
t) Follow-up and ensure the application of the Rules of Procedure and Statutes of the organs of the Union;
u) Negotiate, in consultation with the PRC, with the host countries, the Host Agreements of the Union and those of its administrative or technical offices;
v) Build capacity for scientific research and development for enhancing socio-economic development in the Member States;
w) Strive to the promotion and popularization of the objectives of the Union;
x) coordinate the actions of the Members Sates during international negotiations as well as collect and dissemination of information on the Union.
y) Assists the Member States in ensuring the implementation of the various programs of the Union as well as the policies
z) Provide operational support to the PSC and ensure the promotion of peace, democracy, security and stability