ABSTRACT

The African Union (AU) plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and security across the African continent. This study appraises the AU’s legal and institutional frameworks that guide its peace and security initiatives, focusing on its capacity to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts. By examining key treaties, protocols, and case studies, the research analyzes the AU’s peacekeeping missions, conflict resolution mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with regional and international bodies.

The study begins by outlining the AU’s mandate for peace and security, rooted in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). These documents establish the AU’s legal foundation to intervene in member states in cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, making peace and security a central focus of the organization’s work. The role of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) is explored as the AU’s decision-making body responsible for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.

Central to the AU’s strategy are its peace support operations (PSOs). The study assesses key AU-led missions, such as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), evaluating their successes and challenges. The analysis highlights how these operations have contributed to stabilizing conflict zones, protecting civilians, and facilitating political dialogue, while also noting limitations such as inadequate funding, logistical constraints, and the reliance on external support.

The study further discusses the AU’s collaboration with regional economic communities (RECs) and the African Standby Force (ASF) in conflict management. RECs such as ECOWAS and SADC play a complementary role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding within their regions. The ASF, as the AU’s collective security mechanism, is examined for its potential and operational challenges in deploying forces for rapid intervention.

Additionally, the research evaluates the AU’s efforts in promoting a culture of peace through diplomacy, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction. The AU’s conflict early warning systems and mediation efforts in countries like South Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic are reviewed to understand the AU’s preventive diplomacy. The study also addresses the AU’s cooperation with the United Nations and other international actors in global peace efforts.

In conclusion, while the African Union has made notable progress in promoting peace and security in Africa, challenges remain in terms of resource mobilization, coordination, and political will among member states. Strengthening institutional capacity, securing sustainable funding, and fostering deeper regional and international collaboration are essential for enhancing the AU’s role in maintaining peace and security on the continent.

Keywords: African Union, peace and security, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, Peace and Security Council, African Standby Force, diplomacy, conflict prevention.