Analysis of the Opportunities and Challenges of Iran's Observer Membership of African Union

The question of membership or observer membership in regional and international organizations has important consequences and implication on economic and political interest of the countries. The African Union is one of those organizations that its observer membership has put opportunities and challenges before the foreign policy organization of Islamic Republic of Iran. The present article wants to examine Iran’s observer membership of African Union. What are the opportunities and challenges or Iran’s membership of this organization? The underlying hypothesis is that this membership is having dual effect. On the one hand, it can create several opportunities and on the other hand, it can have certain challenges. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran should avoid the probable negative implications and by assessing these challenges, should avail herself the interests and opportunities derived from the observer membership to full extent.