Unloving Brothers: The African Union and the Regional Economic Communities

In Greek mythology, Polynices and his brother Eteocles were supposed to rule Thebes in alternate years, but as Eteocles refused to relinquish the throne, Polynices and Eteocles ended up facing each other in battle. Analogously, the African Union (AU) and the regional economic communities (RECs) were meant to cooperate effectively — almost fraternally — towards the development of the continent. But this has not been fully attained. This article traces the historical formation of the RECs and highlights the major impediments to effective cooperation with the African Union. In the final part, it describes possible scenarios for the future.