Final answer:
The Pan-African conferences, initiated by figures like W. E. B. Du Bois, fostered African nationalism and were instrumental in the formation of the Organization of African Unity, leading to the modern African Union that promotes unity and cooperation among African states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of the Pan-African conferences was a crucial embryo to the development of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The first of these gatherings took place in 1919 and was driven by the vision of African American activist W. E. B. Du Bois. The aim was to exert influence on international platforms such as the Paris Peace Conference in favor of self-determination for African nations. While its direct impact on proceedings was limited, it stirred the growing sentiment of African nationalism which was pivotal for later political movements across the continent.
In the wake of colonization and the notorious Berlin Conference in 1884-85 where Africa was carved up by European powers without African input, the Pan-African movement aspired to reshape African destiny. This culminated in the transition from the OAU to the African Union (AU), with the Sirte Declaration under Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi leading the charge towards a more united and sovereign Africa. The OAU, which laid the foundation for the AU, marked a significant step in politically uniting Africa, making it easier for member states to collaboratively address issues of trade, security, and governance, which had been compromised by colonial boundaries.
Episodes such as the expansion of the Bantu and the trading practices in ancient Africa illustrate the historical tendency of the continent's communities to connect and coalesce, be it through language, culture or economic endeavors. The modern manifestation of these connections can be seen in the actions of the OAU and succeeding AU, emphasizing the continuity of African cooperative efforts. Thus, the Pan-African movement, and the conferences it fostered, contributed to a long lineage of inter-African cooperation, culminating in the formation of the AU that sought to mitigate the fragmentation imposed by colonial rule and work towards a united and prosperous Africa.