The African Union and the Quest for Peace and Security in Africa: 2002 -2012

Abstract

A significant challenge that confronted the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) throughout its establishment was the successful management of intra-state conflicts in member states. The OAU was criticised for its lack of intervention in these conflicts due to its Charter provision of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. The launch of the African Union in 2002 signalled a new era in the quest for peace and security in Africa. The AU initiated important steps towards the creation of an African Peace and Security Architecture for the management and maintenance of conflicts. The AU’s Constitutive Act further gives the right of intervention in the internal affairs of members to the Union. Since its establishment, the AU has lunched military and diplomatic operations in Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Comoros, Togo, Ivory Coast, Niger, Madagascar, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Libya among others. The main objective of this study is to assess the African Union’s management of the military and diplomatic interventions in Africa since its inception in order to come to terms with the challenges that confront the AU in the quest for peace and security in Africa. The study hypothesised that although the African Union’s doctrine of non-indifference has galvanized its young institutions of peace and security into making significant strides in the conduct of peace operations on the continent, it has had very limited effect on the success of interventions. The research findings noted that, while the AU has demonstrated commitment to address conflicts in Africa it faces severe capacity constraints. This does not auger well for the Union’s future in peace and security.