l 5 Article 2 Establishment The African Union is hereby established in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Article 3 Objectives The objectives of the Union shall be to: (a) achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa (b) defend the sovereignty, territorial independence of its Member States; (c) accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; (d) promote and defend African common positions on 1ssues of interest to the continent and its peoples; (e) encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (f) promote peace, security, and stability on the continent; (g) promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance; (h) promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments; (i) establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role 1n the global economy and in international negotiations; integrity and