Rethinking Pan-Africanism in the AU (African Union)-led Regional Integration of Africa: Identity Politics in the Diaspora Involvement, Afro-Arab Relations and Indian Ocean Islands

African regional integration has its ideological roots in Pan-Africanism, which aims for the unity of African states and African people on the continent and in the diaspora. In terms of the institutional development, the formation of the AU in 2003 has been positively viewed as a big step forward for a deeper integration among its member states. Critically, I argue that Pan-Africanism can be divided to the two conceptual dimensions that are: (1) racial-cultural affinity; and (2) geographical connection. In the racial-cultural dimension, Pan-Africanism is deemed to engender pride and solidarity among Blacks inside and outside the continent. In the geographical discourse, racial and cultural diversity within the continent is subject to the notion of Africa as a single regional bloc.;In the post-Cold War global politics the identity issue appears to be a determinant factor in maintaining global/regional security and arguably promoting regional integration. A major objective of my research is to analyze the two different dimensions of Pan-Africanism and assess their ideological influence on the institutionalization of the AU-led regional integration of Africa. Specifically, my research seeks to answer the two major research questions that follow: (1) Can African diasporas play any significant role in the AU-led integration process?; and (2) How have the intergovernmental relations among the member states of the Northern Arab region, sub-Saharan Black African region and Indian Ocean region shaped the institutional development process of the AU-led African integration? The topic of African identity appears to receive little attention, or is presupposed as Black African identity. Therefore, my dissertation attempts to explore this under-theorized issue, applying racial-cultural state identity as an analytical tool in discussing the AU-led African regional integration.;In terms of research methodologies, this research consists of: (1) Relevant literature review; (2) Primary and secondary data analysis; (3) Historical and contemporary document analysis; (4) Archival research at the AU Archives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and (5) Data collection through interviews with the AU officials and diplomats of African states and donor states in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and New York.