This paper is an overview of the role of the African Union in resolving conflicts in Africa through diplomacy. The work was based on a synoptical review of related literature actions and policies. An attempt was also made in classifying the different types of conflicts and related resolution strategies.
Africa has been embroiled in a plethora of intra- and interstate conflicts. Most of these conflicts had a transnational character and generated consequences that had implications for regions beyond those in which they occurred. The quest for peace on the continent had remained a critical subject matter, which was at the core of the establishment of both the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union (AU).
African conflicts are classified into six groups as follows: interethnic conflicts, interstate conflicts, liberation conflicts, civil rights conflicts, annexationist conflicts, and political transition conflicts. The key AU Organ for promoting peace and security on the continent is the Peace and Security Council (PSC) which is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. The Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) is one of the pillars of the African Peace and Security Architecture
Leone in the early years of the ECOWAS/ ECOWAS Cease-Fire Operation Monitoring Operation Group (ECOMOG) contributed to the consolidation of mechanisms for conflict prevention and peace building in West Africa.
Africa has made remarkable progress in resolving many complex and old conflicts across the continent. Despite this progress, however, millions of people continued to be adversely affected by the consequences of conflict. It is also obvious that the peace achieved is fragile and can not be sustained in the long term, so long as the underlying causes and the needs of the affected populations are not effectively addressed.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OAU / AU PEACE-BUILDING INITIATIVES
3. PROTOCOL TO THE OAU CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND COMBATING OF TERRORISM
4. AFRICAN SUBREGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS
4.1 ECOWAS - Example of an effective Subregional structure
5. OTHER PEACE INITIATIVES
5.1 Bamako Declaration
5.2 African Standby Force ASF
5.3 African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS)
5.4 Silencing the Guns by 2020 initiative
5.5 Peace & Security Council (PSC)
6. AGENDA 2063
7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the diplomatic role of the African Union (AU) in facilitating conflict resolution across the continent. It investigates institutional frameworks, regional cooperation, and the efficacy of current peacebuilding strategies in addressing the diverse causes of violence in Africa.
- Evolution of peacebuilding frameworks from the OAU to the AU.
- Classification of complex conflict types and their resolutions.
- Role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), such as ECOWAS, in maintaining security.
- Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the "Silencing the Guns" initiative.
- Strategic importance of the Peace & Security Council (PSC) and the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS).
Excerpt from the Book
INTRODUCTION
In today’s world, it is well-accepted that violence exacts a high cost to global development. In about 60 countries over the last ten years, violence has significantly and directly reduced economic growth It has hampered poverty reduction efforts and limited progress toward the Millennium Development Goals and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 2030. About half of these countries experience violent conflict or are in a post-conflict transition. The other half experience high levels of violent crime, street violence, domestic violence, and other kinds of common violence.
Since the end of the Cold War, Africa has been embroiled in a plethora of intra- and interstate conflicts. Most of these conflicts have a transnational character and generate consequences that have implications for regions beyond those in which they occur. The major causes of these conflicts include the weak democratization process; deep-seated environmental problems; competition for resources; breakdown in the rule of law; and proliferation of private armies, militias, and the attendant problem of illicit trade in, and use of illegal arms.
In addition, the nature and dynamics of conflicts are shaped by the interplay of features peculiar to each subregion. In West Africa, four issues stand out: the Charles Taylor factor; the Franco-Nigerian rivalry; the link between the exploitation of natural resources and war; and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Southern Africa’s security architecture is defined to a large extent by the legacy of apartheid and the fear of South Africa’s economic and political dominance in the post-apartheid era, as well as by the fragility of democratization throughout the subregion.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of how violence impacts global development and outlines the specific drivers of conflict throughout various African subregions.
OAU / AU PEACE-BUILDING INITIATIVES: Details the historical evolution of mediation efforts, starting from the OAU’s intervention in Chad to the contemporary peacebuilding frameworks of the African Union.
PROTOCOL TO THE OAU CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND COMBATING OF TERRORISM: Explains the necessity of harmonizing continental efforts to implement international instruments against terrorism.
AFRICAN SUBREGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS: Analyzes the increasing role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specifically highlighting the ECOWAS model in conflict resolution.
OTHER PEACE INITIATIVES: Descriptions of institutional tools such as the African Standby Force, AMIS, and the Peace & Security Council aimed at operationalizing continental stability.
AGENDA 2063: Outlines the long-term strategic vision for transforming Africa into a peaceful, stable, and economically integrated global powerhouse.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Discusses the necessity of addressing the root causes of conflict, including colonial legacies, and emphasizes the need for local ownership in peacebuilding.
Keywords
African Union, Diplomacy, Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, ECOWAS, Agenda 2063, Small Arms Proliferation, Peace & Security Council, Regional Economic Communities, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Silencing the Guns, Human Security, Governance, Sovereignty, Institution Building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary scope of this work?
This work provides an overview of how the African Union and subregional organizations utilize diplomacy to resolve complex conflicts across the African continent.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the classification of African conflicts, the development of institutional peace frameworks, the role of regional economic communities, and long-term development strategies like Agenda 2063.
What is the main research target?
The primary goal is to analyze the AU’s diplomatic effectiveness in conflict prevention, management, and the construction of sustainable peace architectures.
Which methodology is adopted?
The research relies on a synoptic review of related literature, policy documents, and institutional frameworks to map out current peacebuilding strategies in Africa.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the historical transition from OAU to AU initiatives, specific case studies of subregional intervention, and an evaluation of existing mechanisms like the Peace & Security Council.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, African Union, Peacebuilding, and Regional Security Architecture.
How is the "Silencing the Guns" initiative integrated into the AU's policy?
It serves as a core flagship activity under Agenda 2063, aimed at fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and dialogue-centered conflict prevention across the continent.
What role does the Peace & Security Council (PSC) play?
The PSC acts as the standing decision-making organ for the African Union, facilitating collective security efforts and the continental early warning system.
Why is the colonial factor considered significant?
The author argues that many post-colonial conflicts have roots buried deep in Africa’s history of colonization and de-colonization, which must be addressed for durable conflict resolution.
- Citar trabajo
- Fuh George Cheo (Autor), 2022, The Role of Diplomacy in the Maintenance of Peace and Security in Africa by the African Union, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1301311
