Between high hopes and moderate results – a decade of the African Peace and Security Architecture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.13.2016.42.18Keywords:
African Security, APSA, Regional SecurityAbstract
The aim of the paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). This term refers to the set of institutions responsible for conflict prevention, management and resolution that has been established within the framework of the African Union. The APSA is comprised of five elements: the Peace and Security Council (PSC), the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), the Panel of the Wise (PoW), the African Standby Force (ASF) with the Military Staff Committee (MSC), and the Peace Fund (PF). The paper is organized as follows. First, the origins of the project are presented. Then, the paper focuses on five elements of the APSA with special reference to two of them – the PSC and the ASF. Subsequently, the issue of the relations between the AU and other international actors, in particular the UN, is addressed. The paper concludes with remarks on the adequacy of the APSA to African peace and security challenges. The main finding is that despite extensive agenda, the first decade of the APSA was marked by moderate results caused by the scarcity of resources, lack of experience and opposition of some member states.
Downloads
PlumX Metrics of this article
References
Africa’s Decade of Change. Reflections on 10 years of NEPAD, A joint publication of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, the Economic Commission for Africa and the Office of the Special Advisor on Africa, August 2012.
Google Scholar
African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Government, 30 January 2007.
Google Scholar
African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). 2010 Assessment Study, Report Adopted by the Third Meeting of the Chief Executives and Senior Officials of the AU, RECs and RMs on the Implementation of the MoU on Cooperation in the Area of Peace and Security, 4‑10 November 2010, Zanzibar, at <http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B‑6D27‑4E9C‑8CD3‑CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/RO%20African%20Peace%20and%20Security%20Architecture.pdf>.
Google Scholar
The African Union Non‑Aggression and Common Defence Pact, 31 January 2005.
Google Scholar
Briefing on UN Support for Au Peacekeeping, Security Council Report. Update Report, 16 June 2011, No. 2, at <http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B‑6D27‑4E9C‑8CD3‑CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/Update%20Report%2016%20June%202011%20Briefing%20on%20UN%20Support%20AU%20Peacekeeping.pdf>.
Google Scholar
The Charter of the Organization of African Unity, Addis Ababa, 25 May 1963, at <http://www.au.int/en/sites/default/files/OAU_Charter_1963_0.pdf>.
Google Scholar
The Charter of the United Nations, 26 June 1945, <https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/uncharter.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Communique, PSC/PR/Comm. (LXIX), Peace and Security Council, 69th Meeting, 19 January 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Google Scholar
Conference on Security, Stability, Development & Cooperation in Africa (CSSDS), Kampala 19‑22 August 1991, at <http://www.au2002.gov.za/docs/key_oau/cssdca.htm>.
Google Scholar
The Constitutive Act of the African Union, 11 July 2000, at <http://www1.uneca.org/Portals/ngm/Documents/Conventions%20and%20Resolutions/constitution.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Ezulwini Framework for the Enhancement of the Implementation of Measures of the African Union in Situations of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, Ezulwini, Kindgom of Swaziland, 17‑19 December 2009, at <http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/ezulwini‑framework‑for‑the‑enhancement‑of‑the‑implementation‑of‑measures‑of‑the‑african‑union‑in‑situations‑of‑unconstitutional‑changes‑of‑government‑in‑africa‑ezulwini‑kingdom‑of‑swaziland‑17‑19‑december‑2009#>.
Google Scholar
Keynote Address by His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the Round‑Table High‑Level Meeting of Experts on the “Responsibility to Protect in Africa”, Addis Ababa, 23 October 2008.
Google Scholar
Lomé Declaration on the framework for an OAU response to unconstitutional changes of government, Lomé, Togo, 10‑12 July 2000, at <http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/compilation_democracy/lomedec.htm>.
Google Scholar
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Area of Peace and Security between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the Coordinating Mechanisms of the Regional Standby Brigades of Eastern Africa and Northern Africa, Addis Ababa, January 2008, at <http://www.peaceau.org/uploads/mou‑au‑rec‑eng.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Modalities for the Functioning of the Panel of the Wise as Adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 100th Meeting Held on 12 November 2007.
Google Scholar
Policy Framework for the Establishment of the African Standby Force and the Military Staff Committee, Addis Ababa, 15‑16 May 2003.
Google Scholar
Protocol on the Amendments to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, Maputo, 11 July 2003.
Google Scholar
Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, Durban, 9 July 2002, at <http://www.peaceau.org/uploads/psc‑protocol‑en.pdf>.
Google Scholar
The Responsibility to Protect. Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, December 2001 at <http://responsibilitytoprotect.org/ICISS%20Report.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Solemn Declaration on a Common African Defence and Security Policy, 28 February 2004.
Google Scholar
UN, An Agenda for Peace. Preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace‑keeping, A/47/277 – S/24111, 17 June 1992.
Google Scholar
UN, The Charter of the United Nations, San Francisco, 26 June 1945.
Google Scholar
UNDP, Human Development Report 1994. New Dimensions of Human Security, New York 1994.
Google Scholar
United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Principles and Guidelines, New York 2008.
Google Scholar
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744 (2007), 20 February 2007, S/RES/1744 (2007).
Google Scholar
United Nations Ten‑Year Capacity Building Programme for the African Union. First Triennial Review (2006‑2009).
Google Scholar
Final Report, November 2010.
Google Scholar
United States Mission to the African Union. AMISOM/Somalia Fact, at <http://www.usau.usmission.gov/fact_sheet.html>.
Google Scholar
Aginam O., ‘Turbulent Marriage or Peaceful Divorce? Forecasting the Future Relationships of the PSC and the United Nations Security Council’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Aning K., ‘Understanding the Institutional Dynamics and Decision‑making Processes of the PSC’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Bachmann O., The African Standby Force. External Support to an “African Solution to African Problems”?, Brighton 2011 (IDS Research Reports, 67), at <http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/Rr67web.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Behabtu A., ‘The PSC and the Continental Early Warning System. Challenges of operationalization’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Bouhuys J., ‘The Eastern Africa Standby Force. Enhancing Peace and Security in the Eastern Africa Region’, Intercom, No. 2 (2011), at <http://www.vovklict.nl/intercom/2011/2/27.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Chitima L., ‘Balancing the Responsibility to Protect with Non‑interference’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Cilliers J., ‘Hopes and Challenges for the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union’ in: H. Besada (ed.), Crafting an African Security Architecture. Addressing Regional Peace and Conflict in the 21st Century, Farnham 2010 (International Political Economy of New Regionalisms).
Google Scholar
Cilliers J., Pottgieter J., ‘The African Standby Force’ in: U. Engel, J.G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Czaputowicz J., Bezpieczeństwo międzynarodowe. Współczesne koncepcje, Warszawa 2012 (Stosunki Międzynarodowe).
Google Scholar
De Coning C., ‘Introduction’ in C. De Coning, Y. Kasumba (eds.), The Civilian Dimension of the African Standby Force. Peace Support Operations Division of the African Union Commission, Mount Edgecombe 2010.
Google Scholar
Deng F., ‘The Evolution of the Idea of “Sovereignty as Responsibility”’ in: A. Adebayo (ed.), From Global Apartheid to Global Village. Africa and the United Nations, Scottsville 2009.
Google Scholar
Derblom M., Hagstrom Frisell E., Schmidt J., UN‑EU‑AU Coordination in Peace Operations in Africa, Stockholm 2008 (FOI Report, 2602).
Google Scholar
Dersso S., The Role and Place of the African Standby Force within the African Peace and Security Architecture, Pretoria 2010 (ISS Paper, 209), at <http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/209.pdf>.
Google Scholar
East Africa: Eastern Africa Standby Force to Have Operational Capacity by 2015, All Africa, at <http://allafrica.com/stories/201305190005.html>.
Google Scholar
El Abdellaoui J., ‘The PSC and the Panel of the Wise’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
El‑Ghasim W. et al., ‘The Continental Early Warning System: Methodology and Approach’ in: U. Engel, J.G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Elowson C., The Joint Africa‑EU Strategy. A Study of the Peace and Security Partnership, Stockholm 2009 (FOI Report, 2736 SE), at <http://www.foi.se/ReportFiles/foir_2736.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Engel U., Porto J. G., ‘Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture: An Introduction’ in: iidem (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Eriksson M., Supporting Democracy in Africa. African Union’s Use of Targeted Sanctions to Deal with Unconstitutional Changes of Government, Stockholm 2010 (FOI Report, 3000).
Google Scholar
Franke B., ‘Steady but Uneven Progress: The Operationalization of the African Standby Force’ in: H. Besada (ed.), Crafting an African Security Architecture. Addressing Regional Peace and Conflict in the 21st Century, Farnham 2010 (International Political Economy of New Regionalisms).
Google Scholar
Gaenzle S., Grimm S., ‘The European Union (EU) and the Emerging African Peace and Security Architecture’ in: H. Besada (ed.), Crafting an African Security Architecture. Addressing Regional Peace and Conflict in the 21st Century, Farnham 2010 (International Political Economy of New Regionalisms).
Google Scholar
Holzgrefe J. L., ‘The Humanitarian Intervention Debate’ in J. L. Holzgrefe, R. O. Keohane (eds.), Humanitarian Intervention. Ethical, Legal, and Political Dilemmas, Cambridge 2003.
Google Scholar
Hull C., Skeppstrom E., Sorenson K., Patchwork for Peace. Regional Capabilities for Peace and Security in Eastern Africa, Stockholm 2011 (FOI Report, 3048 SE), at <http://www.foi.se/ReportFiles/foir_3048.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Karis D., A Comparative Study of Two Peacekeeping Training Programs: The African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) and The African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA), at <http://media.peaceopstraining.org/theses/karis.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Kasumba Y., Debrah Ch., ‘An Overview of the African Standby Force (ASF)’ in C. De Coning, Y. Kasumba (eds.), The Civilian Dimension of the African Standby Force. Peace Support Operations Division of the African Union Commission, Mount Edgecombe 2010.
Google Scholar
Lecourte D., ‘The Military Staff Committee. A Case for Revitalisation’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Levitt J., ‘Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution: Africa – Regional Strategies for the Prevention of Displacement and Protection of Displaced Persons: The Cases of the OAU, ECOWAS, SADC, and IGAD’, Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law, Vol. 11, No. 1 (2001).
Google Scholar
Lizak W., Afrykańskie instytucje bezpieczeństwa, Warszawa 2012.
Google Scholar
Maasho A., African Leaders Create Emergency Military Force, Reuters, 27 May 2013, <http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/27/us‑africa‑force‑idUSBRE94Q08R20130527>.
Google Scholar
Mays T.M., Africa’s First Peacekeeping Operation. The OAU in Chad, 1981‑1982, Westport 2002.
Google Scholar
Murithi T., Mwaura Ch., ‘The Panel of the Wise’ in U. Engel, J. G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Muyangwa M., Vogt M. A., An Assessment of the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, 1993‑2000, New York 2000.
Google Scholar
Ohanwe A.C., Post‑Cold War Conflicts in Africa. Case Studies of Liberia and Somalia, London 2009.
Google Scholar
Porto J.G., Engel U., ‘The African Peace and Security Architecture: An Evolving Security Regime?’ in: iidem (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Schmidt S., ‘Through the Lens of European Integration Theory: African Peace and Security Achritecture as a Framework in Transition’ in: H. Besada (ed.), Crafting an African Security Architecture. Addressing Regional Peace and Conflict in the 21st Century, Farnham 2010 (International Political Economy of New Regionalisms).
Google Scholar
Soederbaum F., Hettne B., ‘Regional Security in Global Perspective’ in: U. Engel, J. G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Souare I.K., ‘The PSC and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Straus S., ‘Wars to End! Changing Patterns of Political Violence in Sub‑Saharan Africa’, African Affairs, Vol. 111, No. 443 (2012), at <http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/afraf/ads015>.
Google Scholar
Sturman K., Hayatou A., ‘The Peace and Security Council of the African Union: From Design to Reality’ in: U. Engel, J. G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture. Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Tavares R., ‘The Participation of SADC and ECOWAS in Military Operations: The Weight of National Interest in Decision‑Making’, African Studies Review, Vol. 54, No. 2 (2011), at <http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/arw.2011.0037>.
Google Scholar
Tlałka K., ‘Działalność Międzyrządowej Organizacji ds. Rozwoju w świetle perspektyw integracji regionalnej w Rogu Afryki’ in: K. Jarecka‑Stępień, J. Kościółek (eds.), Problemy współczesnej Afryki. Szanse i wyzwania na przyszłość, Kraków 2012.
Google Scholar
Tlałka K., ‘East African Standby Force. Shortcomings and Prospects for the Future’ in ECAS 2013, 5th European Conference on African Studies “African Dynamics in Multipolar World”, Lisboa 2014, at <https://repositorio.iscte‑iul.pt/bitstream/10071/7542/1/Tlalka_Krzysztof_ECAS_2013.pdf>.
Google Scholar
Tlałka K., ‘Wspólnota Wschodnioafrykańska – stan obecny i perspektywy’, Gentes et Nationes, No. 4 (2011).
Google Scholar
Vines A., ‘A Decade of African Peace and Security Architecture’, International Affairs, Vol. 89, No. 1 (2013), at <http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1468‑2346.12006>.
Google Scholar
Vorrath J., Imbalances in the African Peace and Security Architecture. The Current Approach to Capacity‑building Needs to be Challenged, 2012, SWP Comments, C 29.
Google Scholar
Walraven K. van, ‘Heritage and Transformation: From the Organization of African Unity to the African Union’ in: U. Engel, J. G. Porto (eds.), Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture.
Google Scholar
Promoting Norms and Institutionalizing Solutions, Farnham 2010 (Global Security in a Changing World).
Google Scholar
Williams P. D., ‘The Peace and Security Council of the African Union. A Framework for Evaluation’ in: T. Murithi, H. Lulie (eds.), The African Union Peace and Security Council. A Five‑year Appraisal, Pretoria 2012 (ISS Monograph Series, 187).
Google Scholar
Woodward P., The Horn of Africa. Politics and International Relations, London–New York 2002 (International Library of African Studies).
Google Scholar
All Africa, at <http://www.allafrica.com>.
Google Scholar
African Union, at <http://www.au.int>.
Google Scholar
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) , at <http://www.amisom‑au.org>.
Google Scholar
Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism, at <http://www.cewarn.org>.
Google Scholar
Council of the European Union, at <http://www.consilium.europa.eu>.
Google Scholar
European Commission, at <http://www.ec.europa.eu>.
Google Scholar
New Partnership for Africa’s Development, at <http://www.nepad.org>.
Google Scholar
Online Peacekeeping Training Institute, at <http://www.peaceopstraining.org>.
Google Scholar
Peace and Security Council Report, at <http://www.issafrica.org/publicationspeace‑and‑security‑council‑report>.
Google Scholar
Reuters, at <http://www.reuters.com>.
Google Scholar
Security Council Report, at <http://www.securitycouncilreport.org>.
Google Scholar
Southern African Development Community, at <http://www.sadc.int>.
Google Scholar
United Nations, at <http://www.un.org>.
Google Scholar
United Nations Mission to the African Union, at <http://www.usau.usmission.gov>.
Google Scholar
Xinhua, at <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english>.
Google Scholar
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, at <http://www.wanep.org>.
Google Scholar
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
