African Union Countries 2026

Union Status

Active

Suspended

Union Status

48 countries

6 countries

Country	Date joined AU/OAU↑	Union Status
Morocco	January 31, 2017	Active
Angola	February 11, 1975	Active
Gambia	March 9, 1965	Active
Eritrea	May 24, 1993	Active
Nigeria	May 25, 1963	Active
Ethiopia	May 25, 1963	Active
Egypt	May 25, 1963	Active
DR Congo	May 25, 1963	Active
Tanzania	May 25, 1963	Active
Kenya	May 25, 1963	Active
Sudan	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Uganda	May 25, 1963	Active
Algeria	May 25, 1963	Active
Ghana	May 25, 1963	Active
Madagascar	May 25, 1963	Active
Ivory Coast	May 25, 1963	Active
Cameroon	May 25, 1963	Active
Niger	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Mali	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Burkina Faso	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Chad	May 25, 1963	Active
Somalia	May 25, 1963	Active
Senegal	May 25, 1963	Active
Guinea	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Benin	May 25, 1963	Active
Rwanda	May 25, 1963	Active
Burundi	May 25, 1963	Active
Tunisia	May 25, 1963	Active
Togo	May 25, 1963	Active
Sierra Leone	May 25, 1963	Active
Libya	May 25, 1963	Active
Republic of the Congo	May 25, 1963	Active
Liberia	May 25, 1963	Active
Central African Republic	May 25, 1963	Active
Mauritania	May 25, 1963	Active
Gabon	May 25, 1963	Suspended
Namibia	June 1, 1990	Active
South Africa	June 6, 1994	Active
Zimbabwe	June 18, 1980	Active
Djibouti	June 27, 1977	Active
Seychelles	June 29, 1976	Active
Malawi	July 13, 1964	Active
Mozambique	July 18, 1975	Active
Comoros	July 18, 1975	Active
Cape Verde	July 18, 1975	Active
Sao Tome and Principe	July 18, 1975	Active
South Sudan	July 27, 2011	Active
Mauritius	August 1, 1968	Active
Eswatini	September 24, 1968	Active
Equatorial Guinea	October 12, 1968	Active
Botswana	October 31, 1966	Active
Lesotho	October 31, 1966	Active
Guinea-Bissau	November 19, 1973	Active
Zambia	December 16, 1964	Active

Joined dates earlier than 2002 indicate a state that joined the AU’s predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), between 1963-1999.
Changes in Active/Suspended status that have occurred since January 2024 may not be reflected.

African Union (AU) An intergovernmental organization composed of African member states focused on political, economic, and regional cooperation.

Date Joined AU/OAU The date a country joined either the African Union or its predecessor organization, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Union Status A country’s current standing within the African Union, such as active or suspended membership.

Founding and Early African Union Members

Many African Union members originally joined the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the AU’s predecessor, on May 25, 1963, shortly after independence movements accelerated across the continent.

These countries are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, DR Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Algeria, Ghana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, Senegal, Guinea, Benin, Rwanda, Burundi, Tunisia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Libya, Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Central African Republic, Mauritania, and Gabon.

Countries With Suspended African Union Membership

Some African Union member states have faced suspension following military coups, political crises, or unconstitutional changes in government.

These include Sudan, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gabon.

Countries That Joined the African Union Later

Several African Union members joined after the original 1963 formation period, often following independence, state formation, or political realignment.

These countries include Eritrea, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Morocco, Djibouti, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau, Zambia, Mozambique, Comoros, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola, and Gambia.

Countries With Notable African Union Membership Changes

Some African Union members have experienced withdrawals, repeated suspensions, name changes, or other significant membership-related developments over time.

These include Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Sudan, Mauritania, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, DR Congo, Eswatini, Benin, and Tanzania.