Haiti to become a member of the African Union

Haiti will officially become a member of the African Union (AU) at the next summit of the regional organization in June.

In 2012, Haiti indicated its interest to move from its observer status to member status. The then Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille said in his remarks to reporters that “the African continent occupies a position increasing importance to Haiti, to this end, a process of participation of Haiti in the African Union is desired and an official request has been made with the president of the regional institution, to change the status of Haiti from an observer to that of a member with full accreditation of a diplomatic mission with that organization.”

It will be the first time any nation with no geographic connection to the continent of Africa to join the AU.