[AnAfrican]

the AU is also much older than UNASUR. The OAU was established in 1963 with a very clear mandate towards unification and decolonization.

However, the good intentions towards unity had to quickly face the reality of each despot desire to stay in power.

[vidarh]

That's true, but also changing, with the AU getting increasingly willing to send in joint AU forces to stabilize countries, or pressuring various governments to hold elections. That the AU is taking a more active role in curtailing dictators is quite ironic given that one of the drivers in getting to the Sirte declaration that laid a lot of the groundwork for reviving the work on the AU was Gadaffi...