The African Union
Created in the turmoil of World War II, the African Union is a slowly expanding confederation of nations which currently extends like a belt from the Horn of Africa to the Congo Basin.
Begun as an answer to mid 20th c Italian colonialism, the Union spend its first few decades assisting African nations throw off the yoke of Imperialism. The effort was little appreciated by the capitalist West and communist East, as the Union offered aid and technology without the effects of post-colonial exploitation.
In 1952 the United Nations considered a police action against the Union. The first test of a nuclear weapon by the Union, on December 21st 1952, dissuaded this effort. In 1967 the African Union launched its first Geo-synchronous satellite.
Although the confederated states within the Union are recognized by the UN, the Union has never been formally acknowledged. An Ambassador to the UN exists, in a strictly observer capacity.
The African Union has suffered a number of embargoes, blockades, and economic sanctions. However for its supply of raw minerals, its leading edge technology, commitment to clean energy, its world renowned centres of education in Mombasa (Mombasa Institute of Science and Art) and Djibouti (African Union University of Djibouti), and its lush, well-irrigated agricultural surpluses, these actions have strengthened the bonds between African nations, whether or not they are members of the Union.
Two Union statesmen have been given the Nobel Peace Prize, once in the '70's and again in the '90's. They both used the now famous phrase "The village is our world, and our world is our village."
In the 21st century the African Union took the lead in the Space Race, by extending a 22,000 kilometre carbon nanotube "Space Elevator" from a station on top of Mount Kenya. Transit between Earth and the growing orbital station had become truly affordable.
