Africa has historically been a victim of colonialism perpetrated by the Europeans for ages. Colonialism was anchored by slave trade, oppression, suppression of the African voices, expropriation of resources, ethnic cleansing of some tribes (millions were killed in DRC by the Belgian King) among others. Colonialism left an indelible mark in the African face such that whenever Africa appears the effects of colonialism are visible. It is not an understatement to note that colonialism still haunts the African continent many years after independence. The colonialist ceded political power and secretly maintained economic power that continues to influence the political dynamics of Africa. In essence, during the twentieth century African countries managed to win their independences from colonial rule. Colonial rule was orchestrated by Britain, France, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium. However, the winning of independence demanded cooperation among African states towards making the enemy lose maximum structural control in the continent. Did the enemy indeed lose structural control in politics, economics and the social life of Africans? It remains seemingly true that Africa was independent in the twentieth century but remained dependent to the former colonial powers to date. From its founding in 1963 OAU to its rebranding after the dawn of the new millennium in 2002 to African Union volatile conflicts have been rampant in Africa. The rebranded AU continues to struggle with sporadic conflicts in Africa, hunger, famines, poverty and poor governance among others. On 31 January 2015 the 24th Ordinary Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union in Addis Ababa adopted the AU Agenda 2063. This essay seeks to discuss the notion that the African Union Agenda 2063 is a strategic peace building initiative. This desk research will tackle issues within the framework of AU Agenda 2063 document so as to determine its efficacy to peace building initiative. The aspirations, goals and priority areas of AU Agenda 2063 shall be of critical importance towards giving the discourse a terrain to engage with critical peace building concerns in Africa. Furthermore, the findings of the study draws insightful lenses from the AU Agenda 2063 document. Upon discussion of findings the paper will draw a conclusion.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
- 1.3 Brief Literature Review Overview
- 1.4 Methodology
- 1.5 Findings and Discussion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the African Union Agenda 2063 as a strategic peace-building initiative. It investigates the efficacy of the Agenda in addressing conflict, hunger, famine, poverty, and poor governance in Africa. The study utilizes the neo-functionalist theory to analyze regional integration and its impact on conflict transformation.
- The impact of colonialism on Africa and its continuing influence.
- The role of the African Union (AU) and Agenda 2063 in peacebuilding.
- Analysis of the neo-functionalist theory in the context of African regional integration.
- Examination of the challenges to peacebuilding in Africa, including poverty, inequality, and poor governance.
- Assessment of the potential of Agenda 2063 to address these challenges.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the lasting impact of colonialism on Africa, highlighting its continued influence on political and economic dynamics despite the achievement of independence. It establishes the context for examining the African Union Agenda 2063 as a potential solution to persistent conflicts and challenges such as hunger, famine, poverty, and poor governance. The chapter emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to peacebuilding in Africa and introduces the study's methodology and objectives, focusing on analyzing the aspirations, goals, and priority areas of Agenda 2063 to determine its efficacy in fostering peace.
1.2 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: This section details the neo-functionalist theory, the framework used to analyze regional integration efforts in Africa and their potential for conflict transformation. The chapter contrasts this approach with realism and idealism, arguing that neo-functionalism, with its emphasis on cooperation and spillover effects, offers a more suitable model for achieving sustainable peace. It discusses key tenets of the theory, including the concept of spillover and the importance of shifting citizen loyalties from national to supranational institutions, drawing parallels with the European Union and its implications for the potential "United States of Africa" envisioned by Agenda 2063.
1.3 Brief Literature Review Overview: This chapter presents a concise overview of existing literature relevant to peacebuilding in Africa. It incorporates perspectives from various scholars on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, the importance of justice and human rights, and the dynamics of the "spiral of violence." The reviewed works provide crucial contextualization and theoretical grounding for the subsequent analysis of Agenda 2063, highlighting the complexities of peacebuilding and the need for comprehensive strategies that consider multiple dimensions of conflict.
1.4 Methodology: This section outlines the research methodology employed in the study. The chapter explains the use of desk research, detailing how the researcher gathered information from existing documents, reports, and publications to investigate the efficacy of the African Union Agenda 2063 as a peacebuilding initiative. The rationale for choosing desk research is discussed, emphasizing its efficiency in accessing publicly available data and its suitability for the study's objectives.
1.5 Findings and Discussion: This chapter presents the findings of the study, focusing on the challenges to peacebuilding in Africa, including the legacy of colonialism, persistent poverty and economic disparities, and ongoing political instability and conflict. It examines these issues within the context of the AU Agenda 2063, evaluating its potential to bring about lasting peace. The chapter highlights the vast size and population of Africa, its potential, and the numerous challenges faced by the continent in achieving sustainable peace and security.
Keywords
African Union Agenda 2063, Peacebuilding, Neo-functionalism, Regional Integration, Conflict Transformation, Colonialism, Poverty, Good Governance, Human Rights, Sustainable Development.
Frequently asked questions
What is the document about?
The document is a language preview that includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It focuses on analyzing the African Union Agenda 2063 as a strategic peace-building initiative.
What is the main focus of the study described in the language preview?
The study examines the African Union Agenda 2063 and its efficacy in addressing conflict, hunger, famine, poverty, and poor governance in Africa. It utilizes the neo-functionalist theory to analyze regional integration and its impact on conflict transformation.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes include the impact of colonialism on Africa, the role of the African Union (AU) and Agenda 2063 in peacebuilding, the analysis of the neo-functionalist theory in the context of African regional integration, the challenges to peacebuilding in Africa (poverty, inequality, and poor governance), and the assessment of the potential of Agenda 2063 to address these challenges.
What chapters are summarized in the language preview?
The chapters summarized are: Introduction, Theoretical/Conceptual Framework, Brief Literature Review Overview, Methodology, and Findings and Discussion.
What does the Introduction chapter discuss?
The Introduction chapter introduces the lasting impact of colonialism on Africa, highlights its influence on political and economic dynamics, and establishes the context for examining the African Union Agenda 2063 as a potential solution to conflicts and challenges.
What is the Theoretical/Conceptual Framework chapter about?
This chapter details the neo-functionalist theory used to analyze regional integration efforts in Africa and their potential for conflict transformation. It contrasts this approach with realism and idealism.
What does the Brief Literature Review Overview chapter cover?
This chapter presents a concise overview of existing literature relevant to peacebuilding in Africa, including perspectives on conflict resolution, the importance of justice and human rights, and the dynamics of the "spiral of violence."
What is discussed in the Methodology chapter?
This section outlines the research methodology employed, specifically desk research, and details how information was gathered from existing documents, reports, and publications.
What are the key findings and discussions presented?
The Findings and Discussion chapter focuses on the challenges to peacebuilding in Africa, including the legacy of colonialism, persistent poverty, economic disparities, political instability, and conflict, within the context of the AU Agenda 2063.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
The keywords are: African Union Agenda 2063, Peacebuilding, Neo-functionalism, Regional Integration, Conflict Transformation, Colonialism, Poverty, Good Governance, Human Rights, Sustainable Development.
- Quote paper
- Byron Maforo (Author), 2023, African Union Agenda 2063 as a Strategic Peacebuilding Framework for Sustainable Development and Security in Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1584429
