The African Union (AU) was established in 2002 to succeed the Organization of African Unity (OAU) with a new mandate: not only to continue the fight against colonialism but to drive the continent’s integration and address its socio-economic challenges. Unlike its predecessor, which adhered to a policy of non-interference, and could never resolve any major conflicts, the AU was empowered to intervene in cases of war, genocide, and human rights violations.