Any organization that makes it to its 50th anniversary must have been doing something right. The African Union (AU) reached this milestone in May and can look back on the past half century as one in which Africa became independent and experienced positive gains in political and economic cooperation across the continent.

The progress of Africa's economy relies on equity, inclusiveness, the preservation of natural capital and creation of decent jobs, especially for the continent's huge numbers of young people and women. In this regard, the organization's forefathers would no doubt appreciate the fact that the AU is currently led by a woman, perhaps its greatest achievement to date in its ongoing march toward gender equality.  

Now is the time for a paradigm shift in the organization, as it strives to make Africa into an integrated, conflict-free and powerful continent in the global arena.

The AU also continues to serve as an important consensus-developing mechanism in Africa. It primarily serves this purpose in the field of good governance, coming down hard on countries that have had unconstitutional leadership changes, and taking more responsibility for Africa.

This was evidenced when, for the first time in its history, the AU raised $455 million from its own members to assist AFISMA with the African-led international support mission in Mali. This move was a major step toward the resolution of the crisis in the West African country and in promoting unity between member states.

The AU's golden jubilee is a time to look to the organization's future. There is much to be optimistic about as the AU works for the fulfillment of the continent's aspirations for peace, good governance, development, unity and renaissance.

The AU knows that to survive another 50 years, it must forge ahead in the quest for regional integration, which is necessary for the realization of an African renaissance. The continent can only prosper if its countries are able to cooperate and respect each other's needs. Africa cannot be treated as one country with a one-size-fits-all solution mentality.

The acceleration of this integration, which was one of the guiding intentions of retooling the OAU to create the AU, continues to require much attention. This process is far from complete, and the continent needs to entrench unity between nations and work in line with the often quoted saying - "African solutions to African problems." The way it faces the distinct challenges of integration, regional stability, poverty and inequality, will speak much louder than words.

THE EDITOR