AN AFRICAN GORDIAN KNOT? INSTITUTIONAL AND OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS IN AU CONFLICT PREVENTION AND PEACE INTERVENTION INITIATIVES

Abstract

This article provides an insight into the progress on the operationalization of African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) since its establishment over two decades ago with the ambitious task of offering ‘African solutions to African problems’. It explores the extent to which APSA’s critical components have been effective in promoting peace and security across the continent with a specific focus on the African Union (AU) conflict prevention and conflict response scheme. In doing so, followed by a historical survey highlighting the political developments leading to the establishment of the APSA, it offers a critical interrogation on the relevance and effectiveness of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU-PAPS). These have been undertaken within a broader context of substantive political, operational and contextual challenges extant in the domain of conflict management. In conclusion, the article argues for the future operational opportunities to arise from structural change that involves the adoption of AU principles and instruments relevant to the current security challenges, the demonstration of political will, the conferment of greater supra-nationality to the African Union by African leaders, as well as the intensification of cooperation among the continental and international APSA stakeholders.