About

Mandate

The Mandate of the AU Mission to the Unites States is to develop, maintain, and consolidate constructive and productive institutional relationships between the African Union and the Government of the United States of America, the Bretton Woods Institutions, non-governmental and academic organizations engaged in African issues and policy, and Africans in the Diaspora.

The Core Functions of the African Union Mission to the United States include:

Coordinate African Positions

• To assist in coordinating activities in Washington, DC regarding contacts with the executive and legislative branches of the US Government, the Bretton Woods institutions, and other organizations, and to mobilize support for Africa’s development efforts
• To assist Member States in adopting common positions in their relationships with the Americas

Build, Sustain and Nurture the Bilateral Relationship

• To develop relationships of trust and understanding with key US Government offices and institutions working on issues of concern to Africa
• To provide timely information on positions of the African Union to US Government, State department, agencies, and other entities.

Monitor and Advise the African Union Headquarters

• To advise the AU Headquarters on strategies to address emerging issues in the Americas
• To monitor political and economic developments of concern to Africa in the Americas
• To submit briefs on the activities of the AU and of the African Group in Washington DC
• To follow-up on issues relating to New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Conference on Security, Stability Development and Co-operation in Africa (CSSDCA), programs that address gender issues and other intertwined programs.

Inform America and Promote Africa

• To disseminate information on activities of the AU and its Member States in the Americas
• To promote a positive image of the AU in the Americas
• To inform on a consistent basis, American popular opinion about Africa, the African Union, and about key issues of concern
• To counter, when necessary, media distortions of developments and events in Africa

Support Multilateral Relationships

• To establish working relationships with World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization of American States (OAS)
• To monitor and follow-up on activities and programs of the World Bank and IMF which are of interest and concern to Arica and the African Union
• To assist the AU Commission in preparing for meetings with Congress, Bretton Woods Institutions and the OAS

Resource Mobilization

• To mobilize resources in support of African Union programs

Administrative

• To assist with procurement for the Commission and other Organs

Build Constituencies for Africa

• To build a political constituency and support for Africa and the African Union in America
• To sensitize the communities in the Diaspora
• To maintain contacts with various stakeholders – pro-African Groups, Think Tanks, Universities and other Groups that are interested in Africa – and help these Groups shape and influence progressive policies towards African countries.

Advocacy

• To support and promote the Africa we want.